Mark McDonald is a psychiatrist in Los Angeles, with a focus on childhood trauma and autism.
The concept of ‘toxic masculinity’ has gained traction in recent years, but it’s a term that’s both misleading and harmful. It suggests that men are inherently flawed and need to be ‘fixed’ through re-education or reprogramming.
This notion is utter nonsense.
The discussion around toxic masculinity often lacks genuine concern for men’s well-being.
The term also feeds into the divisive nature of identity politics, particularly within more left-wing circles. It simplifies and stereotypes men, painting them as oppressors, particularly if they are white. This becomes particularly absurd when individuals who are supposedly being protected by this narrative – such as women – don’t agree with it and accused of being in denial or suffering from ‘internalised misogyny’.
The concept of ‘toxic masculinity’ also has a psychological impact.
It creates a self-policing mechanism among men, making them overly cautious about their actions and thoughts to avoid being labelled as ‘toxic’. This type of self-censorship aligns with the broader culture of political correctness and safe spaces, stifling individual freedom and expression.
It’s a form of mass control.
The idea that masculinity is harmful to society is not only stupid, but also dangerous.
Masculinity is crucial.
Society can’t function without it.
It starts at the individual level, with men behaving in ways that are service-oriented and beneficial to society. By doing so, they can serve as role models for others, demonstrating that masculinity is not something to be feared or maligned but embraced for its positive contributions such as courage, mastery, honour, and strength, as argued by Jack Donovan.
A man who cannot defend himself or his family, whether he is attacked in a dark alley or by a SWAT team, is not a man.
Jack Donovan
Masculinity does not need to be redefined.
It needs to be reclaimed.
Toxic masculinity is just another way of saying masculinity.