A History of Masculinity by Ivan Jablonka

Masculinity
The root of identity
For half of the world.

— ML.

Pre-thoughts

Masculinity is often defined by its infamous subcategory: toxic masculinity. Even the idea that positive masculinity can exist is questioned by some, often by the argument towards a more gender-neutral society. However, such an argument is rarely directed towards positive femininity, the existence of which few would deny.

Furthermore, the goals of a society are indicative of its current state. In other words, a society aiming towards gender neutrality (which ours isn't necessarily) isn't definitively gender neutral.

However, if gender positivity does exist, what does it look like? How does one differentiate positive masculinity from its toxic counterpart? Which characteristics are consistent across positive masculinity and positive femininity?

How can we provide a definition of masculinity which validates the identity of all of those who identify as masculine, without it being based in the harmful attributes of toxic masculinity? And if we don't, are we accepting or even encouraging masculinity to continue to be defined by toxicity, and therefore for this to be the set of ideals which so many people worldwide ascribe to?