What Is Toxic Feminism | She's SINGLE Magazine
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What Is Toxic Feminism?

by Ava Roman

While gender norms fall by the wayside, some individuals disregard their instincts and defy gender roles to support inequality. For example, men are inherently natural providers and protectors, while women are natural nurturers.


While this isn’t always the case, feminism has risen, and masculinity is dying. Some believe feminism is the cause of masculinity’s death, while some attribute it to toxic masculinity. We need both to provide a well-rounded and inclusive society—the yin and the yang for the next generation.

 

Rising Feminism

The rise of feminism started generations ago when women advocated for their right to vote. Then, in the 1960s, women began advocating for sexuality and reproductive rights. In the next wave in the 90s, feminism focused on individual rights. Feminism is still evolving, and today fights for inclusivity and equality across demographics. Gender equality, pay equality, race and sexual orientation are all connected and feminism fights for them all.


Is feminism toxic? Feminism today advocates for inclusivity in a way it never has before. In past generations, some women were left out of the feminist movement on mainstream platforms due to their race. Women have come a long way, as we see more of them in power today than ever. However, sexual reproductive rights like the abortion ban are considered setbacks in the feminist movement.


Transgender health care, voting restrictions, and limitations on educational curriculum are other examples of recent laws that limit gender equality. Some Americans believe feminism is outdated, yet 64% believe feminism is empowering, with 42% saying it’s inclusive. We still live in a patriarchal world and many benefit from that world.



Teaching Inclusivity

Inclusivity doesn’t necessarily mean feminism, although feminists actively support it. Inclusivity and acceptance should be the foundation for building the next generation. A generation that promotes equality in all identification and orientation regardless of race or gender could be the pillars of society that feminists have been fighting for for decades.


Relational aggression refers to aggressive behavior that isn’t physical yet packs just as much punch. Children are experiencing relational aggression at a rapid rate regardless of the equality and anti-bullying movements that remain prevalent for this very reason. While children can be cruel, they act this way due to what they learn by seeing and hearing others. Children aren’t inherently mean, much like women aren’t inherently good cooks.

That concept stems from gender norms and can be taken out of context and spun in many directions if you allow it. Spreading rumors, silent treatment, cyberbullying, and purposeful embarrassment are all examples of relational aggression. Relational aggression can lead to emotional and developmental issues that last well into adulthood.


Relational aggression affects 49% of children as targets and 30% as aggressors, yet they aren't taken as seriously since they don’t exhibit physical aggression. Too many children suffer in silence, with only 20% daring to report their bullying experiences. We should encourage kids to stand up for what’s right and fight for equality, and we can use the fourth wave of the feminist movement as a prime example—advocating for inclusivity.



Declining Masculinity

While most men believe that inequality is a legitimate issue, 32% of men believe that traditional masculinity is threatened. The social expectations of being a man have evolved with the idea of being inclusive, yet it harms men who identify with traditional gender norms.


Men and women differ in many ways, which is part of human nature. Men who choose to identify differently than the genetics they were born with should be included and accepted. Yet, so should men who embrace their masculinity and thrive off of traditional expectations. Societal norms are evolving; some men struggle to adapt while others thrive.


Some believe that the crisis of masculinity stems from toxic masculinity. Toxic masculinity takes societal expectations of male behavior and puts a negative spin on them. The pressure to conform to masculine tendencies is prevalent with 85% of LGBTQ+ students reporting relational aggression due to their sexual orientation or expression of gender. Power, antifeminism, and aggressive behavior are components of toxic masculinity.


Toxic masculinity can stem from teaching outdated gender norms to boys, like suppressing their emotions because they are supposed to be tough. There’s a fine line here. While we should nurture little boys and their emotions, we should do so in the same manner we would our little girls—not too much to overcompensate for our disagreements with outdated societal beliefs.


When we overcompensate, we can unintentionally cause a sense of entitlement, which is also a prevalent issue in society and future generations. Model kindness, learn about other cultures together, and teach children to be inclusive in all aspects of their lives to cultivate gratitude and increase their chances of success regardless of their gender.


Nurturing the Balance of Feminism and Masculinity

Predetermined roles and outdated identities are simply that—outdated. Morals and values should be at the forefront of our education regardless of how or why we identify ourselves. Inclusivity is a genuine attempt at molding the next generation into upstanding citizens that believe in equal rights for all genders, which is what feminism stands for today.

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