Thread by @DatOtherMichael

Let’s talk about #ToxicMasculinity.

1. Men are by nature conquerors. We want to win. We don’t want participation trophies. We want to do our best and reap the rewards. There is nothing wrong with this.

2. Manhood is an elite club. It means you have learned the important lessons of denying your narcissistic tendencies to provide for the people you love. There is nothing wrong with this.

3. Men aren’t usually cuddly by nature. When we have a genuine affection for another guy, we shake hands, pull it into a short hug with back pats. We’re brothers. There is nothing wrong with this.

4. Men will often hear a new idea and think about it for a while. This isn’t dismissive. It’s contemplative. Often we will hear it from multiple sources before we adopt it. There is nothing wrong with this.

5. When men, who are by nature conquerors, get excited because their sports team is winning, it doesn’t mean we use all of our feelings on a team. It means that our core conquering nature is being positively channeled. There is nothing wrong with this.

6. Men often forget to go to the doctor or dentist because they feel fine. This probably isn’t for the best, but a lot of us are like this. Deal with it.

7. Men also are fixers. We will analyze instead of empathize 99.899% of the time. Trying to spare you from making the same mistake is our way of showing we care. There is nothing wrong with this.

8. This is big. Men are wired visually. We like the human form and appreciate the ones that get our attention. We should never objectify another person. However, we will look at attractive people. There is nothing wrong with this.

9. Men usually don’t have a strong access to any emotions other than anger and joy. We aren’t dismissive of your emotions, we just don’t know what to do with them in ourselves, much less in you. If you need a hug, ask your mom. There is nothing wrong with this.

10. Men are protectors and providers. This is where we find the core of our self-worth. We are better men when we provide for our families. There is nothing wrong with this.

11. The entire concept of manspreading is stupid. You hang something between your legs and see how often you keep your knees together. This is basic biology. There is nothing wrong with this.

12. I could continue this thread ad nauseum, but I will wrap it up with this: True masculinity is noble at heart. It values relationship and doesn’t abuse or objectify. True masculinity provides, protects, works, laughs, fixes, and fights. And there is nothing wrong with this.