I was under the impression that toxic masculinity is the expectation that a “real man” MUST embody a specific set of personality traits, such as power-seeking, competitiveness, and a lack of emotion. Any man who failed to display these traits to a sufficient degree (or displayed the opposite traits) was to be shunned, considered to be lesser.
During my childhood, I was surrounded by people who thought this way, and it basically destroyed me on the inside. I considered myself to be fundamentally, irredeemably defective, and hid most of my real personality traits to avoid ridicule.
My biggest crime? I loved cats. Not for some “manly” reason like them being “cool”, but because they’re super adorable and I wanted a cute and cuddly pet to love and care for.
I was under the impression that toxic masculinity is the expectation that a “real man” MUST embody a specific set of personality traits, such as power-seeking, competitiveness, and a lack of emotion. Any man who failed to display these traits to a sufficient degree (or displayed the opposite traits) was to be shunned, considered to be lesser.
During my childhood, I was surrounded by people who thought this way, and it basically destroyed me on the inside. I considered myself to be fundamentally, irredeemably defective, and hid most of my real personality traits to avoid ridicule.
My biggest crime? I loved cats. Not for some “manly” reason like them being “cool”, but because they’re super adorable and I wanted a cute and cuddly pet to love and care for.