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Welcome to the Tuesday Toots! After reading the reviews and listening to the feedback on the latest Bollywood fare, I got chills thinking about where we were headed. For every one step we take forward, some movie like ‘Animal’ comes along and we move back four steps. In this newsletter, I had to discuss this toxic masculinity being portrayed on-screen in the name of entertainment. Let’s see how it affects the mental health and relationships of young individuals, how it shapes the society. Toxic masculinity in movies and social media perpetuates stereotypes, glorifying patriarchal mechanisms, and impacting relationships, and fostering gender-based violence. Stereotypical portrayal of masculinity can shape societal norms, influencing perceptions, relationships, and mental well-being among young minds. How can we shield our youth from the harmful effects of these portrayals while fostering a healthier understanding of masculinity? “Men of quality respect women’s equality.”
– Jeremiah Say
Problems arising from the portrayal of toxic masculinity in movies and social media1. Normalisation of Negative Traits: Behaviours such as aggression, dominance, emotional suppression, and objectification of women gains acceptance. 2. Impact on Gender Expectations: Reinforces rigid gender norms, leading to unrealistic expectations, causing potential hinderance to the emotional development. 3. Influence on Relationships: Leads to difficulties in forming healthy relationships based on mutual respect, empathy and understanding by promoting power disparities. 4. Mental Health Implications: The young minds may face internal conflicts as they search for balance between the societal expectations and personal beliefs. Can contribute to increase in anxiety, stress, depression or feeling of unworthiness. 5. Contributing to Gender-Based Violence: Increase in gender-based violence, perpetuating harmful attitudes towards women. The challenges and concerns posed by the effects of toxic masculinity in media predominantly impacts individuals across the spectrum of the society. Young boys and girls, adolescents, parents and guardians, educators, and counsellors. No one is spared from the clutches of such negativity. The complete society as a whole feels the negative impact of such negative behaviour attitudes. Dealing with the impact of toxic masculinity on young minds can unlock significant benefits.1. Promoting Healthy Gender Dynamics: Can encourage more diverse and healthy representation of masculinity, fostering healthier gender dynamics, promoting diverse expressions of masculinity instead of prescribing to stereotypes. 2. Enhancing Emotional Intelligence: Young individuals can be encouraged to express their emotions, foster empathy, communication skills, and healthy emotional regulation, which are crucial for building meaningful relationships. 3. Fostering Healthy Relationships: Creates a conducive environment to forming healthy relationships based on mutual respect, equality, and understanding, leading to more fulfilling and genuine connections among peers. 4. Building Inclusive and Empathetic Communities: Foster communities that celebrate diversity, inclusivity, and empathy. This change in perspective contributes to a more compassionate society that values individual differences and respects the unique experiences of every individual regardless of gender. What we can do to protect young minds from the negative effects portrayed in the media –1. Promoting Diverse Representations: Encourage portrayal of diverse and positive representations of masculinity that embrace vulnerability, empathy, and emotional expression. Support content that challenges traditional stereotypes. 2. Media Literacy Education: Educate young individuals on media literacy, helping them understand the influence of media portrayals by teaching them to question and challenge stereotypes, highlighting the differences between fiction and reality. 3. Open Communication: Foster open and supportive dialogues at home, in schools, and within communities, encouraging discussions about gender roles, stereotypes, and healthy relationships. 4. Positive Role Models: Showcase and celebrate positive role models who embody healthy masculinity, inspiring and guiding young minds toward healthy behaviours and attitudes. Highlight individuals who demonstrate empathy, compassion, and respect for diverse perspectives. 5. Supportive Communities: Build supportive communities that challenge toxic masculinity and encourage inclusivity, respect, and equality, providing resources and spaces for young individuals to engage in activities that promote healthy self-expression and positive social interactions. 6. Empowerment Programs: Develop programs that empower both boys and girls to embrace their authentic selves, and challenge societal expectations. Offer workshops or counselling services focused on self-esteem, healthy relationships, and gender equality. ConclusionTo create a healthy social environment for our future generations, it’s vital that we take these actions, and work together to create a more supportive and empowering environment for young minds, fostering healthy perspectives on gender, and relationships, while combating the negative effects of toxic masculinity portrayed in media. Interesting articles I readChicken soup? Tea? Here’s what to feed your body when it’s sick – With the season changing and flu getting you down, here’s what your body needs to get back into action. Get well soon and enjoy the holidays. What is white lung syndrome? – What’s this new form (or is it old?) of pneumonia that’s affecting the children? Understand it better so you can keep the children safe. Books by my bedsideThe Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. Finished reading it. Insightful, helpful, powerful. Have started re-reading Sapiens: A Brief History of Mankind by Yuval Noah Harari. Love that book. Had read a long time ago. Felt like revisiting some of the passages. Latest Blogs (in case you missed)In case, you’ve missed subscribing to the Tuesday Toots newsletter, go ahead and click the button.
Take care till next time,
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