In Reply to: Thank you posted by TheHappyBurgermeister on September 21, 2025 at 13:53:14
> "Toxic Masculinity" is almost a weaponized phrase in the culture wars.
I agree with this point wholeheartedly. Some use this phrase to end arguments, like calling someone a racist or a nazi.
> There is no scientific field that uses that phrase. But, it's thrown around all the time, as if it has meaning other than being a generalized insult.
This is not true. Psychology, sociology, anthropology, criminology, gender studies, criminal justice, etc, all use this phrase because it describes a set of attitudes and behaviors that is shared by some groups of men.
> Yes, it strikes a nerve with me. At the risk of providing fodder for deflection on the football board, our son has had various behavioral problems. One of the "testers" provided an enlightening write up on the results. Then, in the middle, she threw out something about the source of his "toxic masculinity" traits. I was like WTAF? This is supposed to be a scientific analysis. That is not a phrase that is used in science. I looked the alleged "TM" traits according to pop psychology, the only one he has is that he's a bit of a daredevil. Not even that much of one. Some of the "traits," he's neutral on. Some of them, he is the opposite of.
I hope your son gets through this phase of his life in a positive way.
> To me, TM is a power-phrase that is thrown around in podcasts and other social media to dehumanize the labeled person.
I agree that it is often used this way, but it depends on the intent of the person using it, whether it is to inform or demean. I do not know how it was used in regard to analysis with your son, but IM is a phrase used to understand what some men are going through.