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Overcoming Controversy: How Masculine Norms Become Problematic
New research on attitudes and beliefs looks at how peer pressure, parenting, and media consumption shape adherence to traditional male norms.
Masculinity is a more divisive topic nowadays than perhaps ever before, with strong voices decrying “toxic masculinity” and equally strong defenders of the faith. Some prefer the term “precocious masculinity” to reflect the imposition of beliefs and attitudes from society onto the self when boys are at an early stage of self-development, before they are able to appraise influences and give consent.
Underlying the cultural audit of masculinity taking place in the wake of countless revelations of abuse and harassment is an implication that traumatic and traumatizing notions of masculinity are passed from generation to generation via various mechanisms, including social learning. We can’t condone violence-so poignant with Will Smith’s assault on Chris Rock, dripping with traditional masculine norms and igniting a firestorm on social media-but we can try to understand the roots of problematic dynamics with hope for positive change.
