11/09/2024
Conversations about masculinity today often feel dominated by negativity. Terms like "toxic masculinity" have taken centre stage, leaving many men feeling uncertain about their place in a rapidly changing world. It’s clear that many men are struggling.
In a powerful discussion, journalist Christine Emba highlights the key challenges men are facing:
- Shifting job markets: Traditional industries that once provided stability and identity for many men are declining. As the economy increasingly values credentials over physical strength, younger men are leaving the workforce, unsure of where they fit in.
- Education gaps: More women than men are now earning degrees, and this imbalance is creating long-term challenges for men in terms of career prospects and personal relationships.
- Social isolation: Many men are withdrawing from society, seeking comfort in online communities. While some voices provide empathy and solutions, others fuel frustration and division, making it harder to find a healthy way forward.
But there is a solution: a positive vision of masculinity that emphasises traits like self-mastery, leadership, responsibility, and care for others. Rather than defining masculinity in opposition to others, we need to build a model that focuses on growth, contribution, and strength rooted in purpose.
It’s time to create a new narrative—one where men are empowered to take responsibility for themselves and their communities, where self-mastery leads to personal and societal growth.
Watch the video and join the conversation about what a healthier, more aspirational vision of masculinity could look like.
“Masculinity” has become synonymous with “toxic.” Journalist Christine Emba explains how that happened, and how it can change. Subscribe to Big Think on YouT...