5 Things To Do About Our Cultures Antagonism Against Men

(The Federalist) In modern society many of the ways we talk about male identity have either negative connotations or encourage disparaging eye-rolling satire. If the term is man then common terms we hear are man flu" manspreading" or mansplaining." If the term is dad then there is a droll shaking of the head at a dad bod" or at dad jokes." If the term is guy it is often in relation to stubbornly self-defeating behaviour: I got sick but I did the typical guy thing and didnt go see the doctor." Or: I was battling with my mental health but I did the typical guy thing and didnt ask for help." If the term is masculinity it is often used in relation to things males must atone for or confront: toxic masculinity" or the crisis in masculinity." If educators psychologists and the media want to dissect emerging troubles in masculine identity then a good place to start would be to acknowledge that many of the ways we talk about male identity undermine this goal. This is a problem that affects us all because boys are growing up in a culture that is increasingly questioning whats wrong with them whilst perpetuating casual cynicism towards them.