Getting real tired of all this talk about toxic masculinity and how we need to raise sensitive soft boys. Nothing wrong with teaching your son to be strong, to work hard, to be disciplined and take care of his family. That's not toxic that's LEADERSHIP. We're supposed to be raising men not apologizing for it. Change my mind.
I think there's a difference between raising strong sensitive kids and raising soft kids. My boys are tough but also not afraid to admit when they're struggling. That seems like the actual goal.
Nobody's saying boys shouldn't be strong or tough. It's more about not crushing them if they want to like art or feel their feelings sometimes. There's room for both.
The tough part is nobody agrees on what any of this means anyway. Half the people complaining about toxic masculinity are just as rigid about what boys should be as the people they're criticizing.
Real question though - what specifically bothers you about it? Because I worry sometimes too but I'm trying to figure out if it's actual stuff or just media noise.
to join the conversation.
I just want my kid to be a good person and someone people can trust. Whether that person cries sometimes or climbs trees or sits around working on cars, that's their call.