Most of the misconceptions I’ve heard (mostly from men) is of the nature of ‘so masculinity is toxic now?’ Folk don’t get that it isn’t general criticism of masculinity, just of certain constructions of it. Or that the toxic features are harmful to men to.
There is some level of wilful ignorance (which is in itself part of the toxicity), but in general all the social sciences have poor understanding among the general public. We get formally taught the basics of physical science from a young age, but are largely expected to pick up everything mental for ourselves until the mid-teens, if ever.
I don’t necessarily think it’s been taken too far, but there doesn’t seem to be the same amount of attention to toxic femininity as there is to the masculine equivalent, even just calling it out will get you attacked or downvoted into oblivion sometimes. I think there are toxic women out there who will take advantage of men who themselves are trying to not be toxic, who are trying to evolve past some of those toxic societal expectations. These women are expecting toxic behavior, not getting it, so then they fill the perceived power vacuum and impose their own toxic behaviors, seeing a lack of male domination as a sign of weakness. It almost creates the expectation that toxic male behaviors are normal, but it’s being reinforced by the opposite sex rather than other men. Then when it’s called it out, it’s perceived as, “Men have no right to call out women on that, they need to worry about themselves.” And I get that it gets really close to incel territory to start blaming women for men’s problems, but it definitely feels like there’s a gender-imbalance with regards to who is “allowed” to call out who.
[off topic?]
This is the best example I can think of to explain why men are willing to go to war.
Ty
