This discussion was inspired by discussion on this post.
Toxic man: oh guess I am just gunna keep doing what I am doing if you aren’t going to tell me what to do.
The reason this comes up is that masculinity is largely based around externally conferred social status. You have to constantly be doing something to maintain an image of masculinity. Often this means some sort of social or physical violence in the right time or place (beat up the mugger to defend your partner, call out your boss when you’re being treated unfairly, put rival men in their place). Just as frequently, however, it is the expectation of a certain amount of self sacrifice (paying for meals, military service).
What they don’t understand is how anyone can expect them to maintain their social status when they are avoiding this role that they have been explicitly shown that there will be consequences if they fail to meet. The answer is simple: once you’re out of the masculinity rat race, you’re out. By refusing to take part in the hierarchy of dominance you will eventually be subject to a more general and, frankly, human set of standards.
The only problem is that all of these pressures are external in the first place and this whole dynamic creates strong social gender boundaries. It is very easy for a lot of men to look at their social circles and see exclusively people who punish them for a failure to live up to a masculine ideal.
Why tf would you associate with men who would punish you if you don’t “live up to a masculine ideal”? You’re not out of the “masculinity rat race” if you don’t do something that some people see as not manly.
If you’re a man, you get to define what masculinity is and means. If that means monster trucks and guns, cool. If that means baking cookies and taking care of a baby, cool. You’re a man so by default everything you do is manly.
It’s not like men are ever given an explicit choice. Very frequently this means older male relatives.
If someone is being a shithead, fuckem. You go your own way. Sometimes that’s hard, sometimes you can’t do it right away, but you leave them in the dust.
Pretty much!
Never understood why people put so much weight on this topic. Pick your own preferences.
In Italy, men kiss each other on the cheek. That’s manly to them. You don’t like it, don’t do it. Easy fucking peasy.
Work for example.
I wouldn’t know whether I’m doing that because I don’t care. Got more interesting things to consider.