The issue with calling masculinity "toxic" - Big Think with Richard Reeves

The Problem with Defining Masculinity as "Non-Toxic"

• Low Aspirational Standards: Framing masculinity merely as "non-toxic" is problematic because it sets a very low bar for behaviour; telling boys to simply "not be poisonous" fails to offer a genuinely inspiring vision for their future.
• Overlap with Femininity: When people attempt to define "non-toxic" masculinity by citing traits such as vulnerability, caring, and nurturing, they are often describing positive femininity rather than something distinctly masculine.
• The False Choice: Because "non-toxic" definitions often mirror feminine traits, boys and young men feel trapped in a dilemma where they must choose between being "toxic" or effectively being "female".

Risk-Taking as a Distinct Masculine Trait

• Higher Risk Appetite: One specific way to articulate positive masculinity is to look at risk; on average, men demonstrate a higher willingness to take risks compared to women.
• A Double-Edged Sword: This high risk appetite is neither inherently good nor bad; it is beneficial when it drives men to save lives or innovate in business, but detrimental when it leads to reckless behaviour like gambling or substance abuse.
• The Necessity of Balance: Society should not view the male approach to risk as superior or inferior to the female approach; rather, we need both the masculine drive for risk and the feminine tendency toward caution to function effectively.