Teacher Explains Why He Prefers Not To Use The Term 'Toxic Masculinity' & What We Should Be Saying Instead

Article here. Excerpt:

'"This is why I do not like or use the term 'toxic masculinity' and what term I think should replace it," Kwiatkowski began in his video.

He prefaced by admitting that he isn't personally offended by the term, even though some others are, but claimed that for him, he doesn't think the term clearly identifies the root of the problem and actually makes it harder to see and find the solution.

He explained that seeing something as toxic doesn't always mean that it is harmful, breaking down the three aspects of masculinity that are fairly common effects of the patriarchy and are considered to be the most harmful.

He acknowledged that, for the most part, people aren't usually motivated to do something because they're harmful, but do things because they're adaptive or protective to them in their environment, which Kwiatkowski said was the case during his Ph.D. research about teen boys and why they will often restrict their emotions.

With context, many young boys often feel the need to suppress certain emotions because they may not have grown up in a safe space where they were allowed to be their authentic selves.

"Some boys became self-reliant because that was a way that they could protect their younger siblings and care for them after their parents' divorce, even though they ignored their own needs in the process," he said, providing an example.'