Toxic Masculinity & Toxic Femininity - Podcast #23

The last several decades has seen the rise of the term “toxic masculinity”. However, the last few years has seen the use of “toxic femininity”. In podcast #23 Millennial Z and Boomer X attempt to define exactly what is meant by the term “toxic” and especially with regard to masculinity and femininity. Each provides experience with toxic masculine behaviors and toxic feminine behaviors as encountered.

It was discussed that searching and defining toxic masculinity was made more difficult that it first appears due to the great mass of information and varying descriptive behaviors provided by allegedly scientific as well as social and political sources each with their own agendas and perceptions as to what “toxic” means as well as what may define “masculine” traits. It quickly became obvious that there appeared to be a certain bias that masculinity as a whole is viewed with suspicion and any behavior or thoughts attributed solely from a masculine perspective may appear to be toxic should someone choose to do so and be justified by others in agreement despite the most noble of intentions or perceived requirement.

It was also discussed how difficult it was finding definitions agreed upon by everyone who evaluate and define thoughts and behaviors as to what toxic femininity is. There were far fewer descriptions and examples of toxic feminine behaviors, and some toxic masculine behaviors were celebrated if the activities were conducted by women such as “excessive promiscuity” which was not clearly defined, but supplied as a vague term open to interpretation. Moreover, while it was admitted that toxic feminine behaviors clearly exist, there were very few definitions specifically provided and agreed upon by all or mentioned at all with many judged by how the motivations and behaviors impact other women while toxic masculine behaviors were also mentioned in the context of how it may impact women while not specifically mentioned, but listed as the only way the provided descriptions were rational.

Millennial Z and Boomer X make talk about the obvious shortcomings and hypocrisy within the definitions of the toxic genders and the impact of cultural and political pressures and results of jumping on particular bandwagons while attempting to equalize and create fair, simple definitions of toxic masculinity and toxic femininity by also providing a definition of toxic behavior regardless of gender.

We hope you enjoy this podcast and thank you for listening!