A dad explores toxic masculinity online, its origins, implications, and confusion. The impact of online radicalization on young men and their relationships with women. The importance of challenging cultural norms and teaching values. The influence of the internet on happiness and signs of progress in masculinity.
Toxic masculinity is not limited to online misogyny but encompasses a range of harmful beliefs and behaviors.
Addressing toxic masculinity requires offering healthy alternatives and engaging in conversations challenging harmful gender norms.
Deep dives
The Influence of Toxic Masculinity in Online Spaces
The podcast explores the influence of toxic masculinity in online spaces, particularly focusing on how young men can be radicalized into sexist extremism. The host discusses the experience of a father named Hugh, who noticed a shift in his son's behavior and decided to investigate the content he was consuming online. Hugh's experiment led him to toxic corners of the internet where misogynistic and harmful beliefs were prevalent. The podcast highlights that toxic masculinity is not just about online misogyny, but also delves into what attracts individuals to these beliefs and behaviors.
The Origins and Definition of Toxic Masculinity
The podcast delves into the origins and definition of toxic masculinity. It explains that the term emerged in the mythopoetic men's movement of the 1980s and later gained popularity in wider self-help circles. The host clarifies that toxic masculinity does not mean that all masculinity is toxic, but rather refers to a harmful subset of beliefs and behaviors. The podcast emphasizes the need to address toxic masculinity without alienating men or implying that all men are toxic.
The Risks and Impact of Toxic Masculinity
The podcast highlights the risks and impact of toxic masculinity on both men themselves and others. It cites research showing links between adherence to traditional masculine norms and men's poor mental health, risk-taking behaviors, and perpetration of harm towards others. The discussion focuses on the association between toxic masculinity and sexual violence, emphasizing that hostile masculine attitudes and objectification of women play a role in perpetrating such violence. The podcast also recognizes the importance of offering healthy alternatives to toxic masculinity and engaging in conversations that challenge harmful gender norms.
Do you get defensive when you hear the term toxic masculinity?
You wouldn't be the only one, if so.
In this episode, we follow one dad's attempts to understand where internet algorithms are sending his son… and ask, how do we deal with toxic masculinity, when the very term has become contested?
This episode was first broadcast in February 2023.
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