“Positive Masculinity”: Is this really the solution to “Alpha Males” and Co.?
surrounds us every day and takes many forms. A guy who says he doesn't have fun with a condomto be able to have. Another who gives us “the real meaning” after a film evening. Or the one dude who catcalled us on the way to the subway. In its most extreme form, this toxic masculinity is not only annoying, but dangerous - for example when so-called "alpha men" give tips on...by women on social media or self-proclaimed-gurus likecelebrated among young men, even if they are accused of multiple rapes or human trafficking.
Fortunately, some men now seem to have realized that things cannot continue like this and are starting with the hashtag “Positive Masculinity” a countermovement.
Positive Masculinity – that’s behind the movement against “toxic masculinity”
But before we get to what “Postive Masculinity” is supposed to be, we perhaps first need to define “Toxic Masculinity”. The Oxford English Dictionary describes these as “a set of attitudes and behaviors stereotypically associated with or expected of men and which are viewed as negative for men and society as a whole.” Means: It's about disrespectful or violent behavior, which also results from it, being outdated-Following stereotypes. Such stereotypes can be: “Men don’t cry”, “Men have to be strong” or “The man has to be the head of the family”.
Representatives of “Positive Masculinity” are therefore interested in breaking down these stereotypes and want to redefine masculinity. To do this, they share sayings and sentences on their channels that you should skip in the dating game, talk about their own journey to non-violent communication, and give tips on how to behave around the house and onbehavior in a relationship, or parenting advice on how to get sons to respect other people's bodies and their right to self-determination from an early age.
“Positive Masculinity”: Can this trend really prevail against Andrew Tate and Co.?
What “Postivie Masculinity” influencers are doing isn’t really new. Feminist FLINTA* like Tara Louise Wittwer, Laura Melina Berling, Margarete Stokowski and entire media outlets like Missy Magazine have been doing this educational work against toxic patriarchy for years. And what is called positive masculinity is actually nothing more than feminism.
And yet it is important that men finally take part in the fight against patriarchy - and the toxic behavior that it brings - no matter what the hashtag is. After all, it can't always be just victims of patriarchal violence who take a stand against it. It would also be hoped that young men who are lost on the Internet would be more likely to listen to a man than to a feminist influencer.
However, the chances that these influencers will actually compete against big patriarchal players like Andrew Tate or other self-proclaimed “Alpha Males” are quite slim, given economic factors. Because content that is as polarizing as that of representatives of toxic masculinity is a real goldmine in a world where attention brings money. One reason why-Platforms likeeven push toxic content towards young men, like oneInvestigationresulted. After watching any type of male-oriented content, from gym videos to comedy, they are then shown increasingly radical content in which influencers talk about supposed attacks on masculinity and the like.
Of course, you are not at the mercy of your algorithm and can consciously make important follow-up decisions. And for this it is of course important that men also find other role models online who show them that valuing women has nothing to do with showing submissiveness and weakness, and nothing to do with failure.
9 influencers who exemplify “Positive Masculinity”.
1. Dr. Alex George
Dr. Alex George is a former “Love Island” contestant turned activist. He uses his platform - 1.9 million followersInstagram– to raise awareness about men's body image and overcome the stigma surrounding men's mental health.
2. Jordan Stephens
Jordan Stephens is a musician, actor, and author who regularly speaks about men's roles in feminism, male privilege, and how men and boys can build better futures through vulnerability and communication.
3. Bittersweet
Munya Chawawa is a comedian who regularly uses satirical videos to poke fun at social injustices - his specialty is incompetent politicians.
4. Hunter Leppard
Hunter Leppard has reinvented the concept of the Instagram husband. Together with his wife Maya, he shows what his everyday life as a househusband looks like and dismantles toxic social media trends - such as those in which men scare their wives badly or something similar.
5. Jon Gustin aka “the tired dad”
Jon Gustin, or “thetireddad,” is not only tired of having children – but is also tired of the system in which they are growing up. In his posts, he speaks powerfully about surviving addiction, how he can be a positive role model for his children, and how he deals with the pressures of being a father.
6. Ben Hurst
Ben Hurst is Director at Beyond Equality. He uses his platform to talk about Black boyhood, male allyship, and mental health. On International Women's Day 2021, he told GLAMOR: "Men need to focus more on solutions. I think as an ally your job is not only to acknowledge your privilege, but to use the power you have to dismantle it.”
7. Josh Cavallo
Australian Josh Cavallo is the first openly queer football player. With his account and social engagement, he advocates for openness in the sports industry and the safety of the LGBTQAI+ community.
8. Henry James Garrett
Henry is an illustrator, screenwriter and writer who advocates for equality in his creative work. In 2022 we have Henry with his friendCharlie Craggsquestioned about the importance of male allies in feminism. He said: “When we can empathize with people, we are more motivated to do the right thing. With women, we just have to listen to them - something men often can't do! But understanding other people’s experiences is the key to destroying all the nonsense out there that keeps people from helping others.”
