—
If thousands of guys have searched the web for answers, a million have thought it: #IsItOKForGuys to . . .
- . . . be emotional?
- . . . wear makeup?
- . . . not like sports?
- . . . be a virgin?
It’s time to stop questioning what defines masculinity because there is no one way to “be a man.” Just be you. #FindYourMagic.
.
.
◊♦◊
At The Good Men Project, we’ve been actively working for over six years on crushing stereotypes and the toxic expectations society has of men. Ready to tell us YOUR story?
When you’re ready to submit, click the red box, below.
◊♦◊
The Good Men Project is different from most media companies. We are a “participatory media company”—which means we don’t just have content you read and share and comment on but it means we have multiple ways you can actively be a part of the conversation. As you become a deeper part of the conversation—The Conversation No One Else is Having—you will learn all of the ways we support our Writers’ Community—community FB groups, weekly conference calls, classes in writing, editing platform building and How to Create Social Change.
◊♦◊
Here are more ways to become a part of The Good Men Project community:
Request to join our private Facebook Group for Writers—it’s like our virtual newsroom where you connect with editors and other writers about issues and ideas.
Click here to become a Premium Member of The Good Men Project Community. Have access to these benefits:
- Get access to an exclusive “Members Only” Group on Facebook
- View the website with no ads
- Get free access to classes, workshops, and exclusive events
- Be invited to an exclusive weekly “Call with the Publisher” with other Premium Members
- Free commenting badge, listing on our Friends page, and more.
Are you stuck on what to write? Sign up for our Writing Prompts emails, you’ll get ideas directly from our editors every Monday and Thursday. If you already have a final draft, then click below to send your post through our submission system.
If you are already working with an editor at GMP, please be sure to name that person. If you are not currently working with a GMP editor, one will be assigned to you.
Join our exclusive weekly “Call with the Publisher” — where community members are encouraged to discuss the issues of the week, get story ideas, meet other members and get known for their ideas? To get the call-in information, either join as a member or wait until you get a post published with us. Here are some examples of what we talk about on the calls.
Want to learn practical skills about how to be a better Writer, Editor or Platform Builder? Want to be a Rising Star in Media? Want to learn how to Create Social Change? We have classes in all of those areas.
While you’re at it, get connected with our social media:
- To join our Facebook Page, go here.
- To sign up for our email list, go here.
- To follow The Good Men Project on Twitter, go here.
◊♦◊
However, you engage with The Good Men Project—you can help lead this conversation about the changing roles of men in the 21st century. Join us!
◊♦◊
Read more on Toxic Masculinity and Authentic Masculinity here on The Good Men Project:
Creating a Non-Toxic Masculinity — by Paul Hartzer
We continue to see the damaging effects of toxic masculinity. What does non-toxic masculinity look like?
Guys can be Celibate and Enjoy a Good Life — by
Could celibacy be the path to finding a man’s perfect companion?
The Difference Between Toxic Masculinity and Being A Man — by
Toxic ideas about manhood continue to be a massive millstone around the necks of men as a whole
More on the subject from our media partner, TeenVogue.com:
Axe Ad Shows How Toxic Masculinity Impacts Boys — by Brittney McNamara
—
—
Photo credit: Getty Images
Looking emotional and being virgins are often related: most women don’t feel sexual attraction towards men who are perceived as “weak/unmasculine”. Also: 63% women dislike the idea to have sex with a man who also slept with other men. I’m bisexual, and masculine looking. If I want women totally ignoring me then I just have to wear a “feminine-looking” belt: just only a belt, nothing else, same shoes, same pants, same t-shirt, same muscles (I lift), same beard. Just changing the belt is 98% effective. Really. Makeup make no sense if you’re heterosexual or a bisexual looking for a woman:… Read more »
I think that’s what I meant by toxic behavior. Manu. In this instance of women demanding men to be a certain way to be attractive to them, I wonder if this should not be then what we should really call toxic femininity?
Men and boys should have the right to question toxic masculinity considering the fact how it has destroyed too many men and boys’ lives. Time to get rid of the John Wayne and Clint Eastwood masculine types.
The point is that young men shouldn’t be forced to behave like Clint Eastwood, not to “rid out” of certain types.
Men have the right to choose to be like Clint Eastwood just like women have the right to choose to be like Jessica Rabbit.
So, who want “rid out” of certain masculine types is expressing misandry, just like those who wish to “rid out” of Jessica Rabbit types are expressing misogyny.
Sorry, but too many men and boys have pay the price for being forced to act like Eastwood and they had no say in the matter. Where is your evidence that getting rid of certain masculine type is expressing misandry?
Because you *forcing* someone not to act like “John Wayne” is still attempting to control a mans behavior.
The fact that the new man box is one you happen to approve of does not stop it from being a box.
It amazes me that in a time where society supports and encourage men who they are, it only counts if “who they are” doesn’t fit a certain type of masculinity. That type of masculinity is looked at as “toxic” rather then just another of the multi dimensions of different men.
A man, really any person, should be free to express who they wish to be. John Wayne or David bowie. Katie perry, or Danica Patrick. It’s their behavior that counts as whether it’s toxic or not.
I wish that there had been a place for me to ask these kinds of questions 50 years ago, when I was a confused 16 year old struggling with these issues. I’m pleased to see the progress and openness that new technology has created, but I grieve that some young men (and their sisters) continue to have to fight to understand their gender, sexuality and personal identity, and must fight to be allowed to live openly.
If you’re holding yourself from getting a pedicure, tom, because it doesn’t fit your view of masculinity in this culture, you’re truly missing out. You should go with your sil. Why would you razz him? Oh. And don’t forget the color at the end. That’s the fun part! The other stuff is the good stuff. The color makes you feel alive!
I raz him but he’s okay with it. I’m not a foot person, I don’t like anyone touching my feet, I don’t like touching anyone’s feet . To me, it’s gross but to each their own. In reality, it has nothing to do with masculine or not. My Son-in-law is a fireman, there isn’t a lot that I can raz him about.
That’s a very rationale reason, Tom, for not liking pedicures. I feel the same way about massages. It’s just weird to me.
LOL, When I saw the photo used, I immediately thought of my son-in-law the fireman. He occasionally gets a pedicure. I raz him about it all the time. But then again he would also be seen as having “toxic masculinity” because he’s all about rough and tough, hunter, sports etc with his male kids.
I don’t think his interests should be called anywhere near toxic masculinity. That term is being bandied about way too loosely.