Is Masculinity Toxic?

A timely title in the Big Idea series that reveals the exceptional power and intrinsic vulnerability of manhood. In the wake of the #MeToo movement and the upsurge in feminist and men’s rights activism, traditional masculinity has become a topic of impassioned debate. But what exactly do we mean by ‘masculinity’ and in what ways can it be said to be harmful? This incisive volume evaluates modern masculinity’s capacity for good against its potential for destruction. It reviews evolving definitions of masculinity since the age of chivalry and examines our current expectations about men’s behaviours, roles and responsibilities. It reveals societal pressure on men to act aggressively, suppress emotion and be in control, and the impact of being a ‘real man’ on self and others. About the Author Andrew Smiler (PhD) is a psychotherapist and author. In his clinical practice, he works with teen boys, adult men and the people who love them, helping them cope with a range of problems from anxiety to Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), as well as relational and sexual issues. He has served as president of the Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinities and MaleSurvivor.org, and is currently the editor of Online Publications for the Society for Research in Adolescence. Dr Smiler authored the award-winning Dating and Sex: A Guide for the 21st Century Teen Boy , is co-author, with Chris Kilmartin, of the bestselling introduction to men's studies textbook The Masculine Self and is featured in the American Psychological Association's training video Building a Therapeutic Alliance with Adolescent Boys.