In the last five years, we have witnessed the phenomenal rise of influencers and cultural critics like Jordan Peterson and Andrew Tate, who advocate for a return to traditional masculinity as an antidote to the nihilism that is affecting young men. They promote the idea that the growing mental health problem impacting young males is solely attributable to the erosion of traditional gender norms in Western societies.
But if the solution to all of this lies in returning to our original masculine nature- what constitutes ‘masculinity’ exactly? Is it something that is innate, i.e., which we are born with, or is it a set of traits that we adopt from our social environment? Is there something objectively real as masculinity? And is the very notion of masculinity intrinsically harmful to men?
Before we investigate any further, it is imperative that we understand the difference between sex and gender. Sex refers to the biological characteristics of the individual on account of which they are classified as either male or female at birth. This includes things such as sexual anatomy or the presence of a Y chromosome. Gender is much more complex to define as it involves biological, psychological, and social factors, but it can be basically understood as the roles or behaviours that we typically associate as being masculine or feminine. In this regard, there are two schools of thought- essentialists who hold the view that gender is innate and predetermined at birth, and social constructivists, who are of the opinion that gender is artificially constructed by human society.
Psychology suggests a compromise of both views. Males and females have different brain anatomies which can account for differences in the behaviours they exhibit. In addition to this, hormonal differences play an important role- higher levels of testosterone in males have been linked to increased aggression and competitiveness, while higher levels of estrogen in females correlate to increased nurturing and communication skills. Most interestingly, clinical studies suggest a link between prenatal androgen exposure and atypical gender expression and sexual orientation in later life.
That being said, the majority of the qualities or characteristics we connect with masculinity or femininity, are in fact projections of the ideals of the societies in which we live. Take, for example, King Louis the Fourteenth, who was revered as the epitome of manhood in 17th-century France. The obese ruler was dressed in an ostentatious robe, tight leggings, and a wreath-shaped skirt-clothing that we would now consider feminine.
From this, we infer that masculinity is not a fixed or universal concept, but rather a culturally and historically specific one that varies across time and place. Moreover, different individuals may experience and express their masculinity in different ways, to the degree that there can never be one "right" way to be a man.
Selflessness, stoicism, valor, aggression, and competitiveness, are traditionally regarded as masculine traits. While I would say that these traits are largely beneficial to the individual, they also hold some drawbacks. Societal expectations of traditional masculinity often discourage men from talking about their emotions and seeking help for mental health issues. This can lead to a higher rate of undiagnosed and untreated mental health conditions in men, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
I personally think that there is value in emulating certain traditional masculine expectations. For example, I think immense meaning and fulfillment derive from being a father. That being said, I also understand the constraints that certain conservative masculine expectations lead us to. Let us advocate for a vision of masculinity that is rooted in compassion, openness, and self-care.
References:
Franklin II, C. W. (2012). The changing definition of masculinity. Springer Science & Business Media.
Horrocks, R. (1994). Masculinity in crisis. Self & Society, 22(4), 25-29.
Levant, R. F. (2020, April 27). What is masculinity and how do psychologists measure it? Psychology Today. Retrieved February 12, 2023, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/men-crossroads/202004/what-is-masculinity-and-how-do-psychologists-measure-it
Moynihan, C. (1998). Theories of masculinity. Bmj, 317(7165), 1072-1075.
Whitley, R. (2017, February 6). Men's Mental Health: A Silent Crisis. Psychology Today. Retrieved February 12, 2023, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/talking-about-men/201702/mens-mental-health-silent-crisis
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