Real Examples Of Toxic Masculinity In Men's Own Words

Some men get judged for things that should not even be controversial, and this Reddit thread is full of those moments. From parenting alone in public to liking the wrong color, the comments show how quickly everyday choices can get twisted into something “unmanly.”

One Reddit user asked men to share the forms of toxic masculinity they have run into in real life, and the responses came fast. The stories range from awkward jokes to outright harassment, with plenty of people describing how those expectations show up at work, at home, and in public.

Here are the real examples they shared, and some of them are rough. TacoHellDriveThru

1. "People act like I'm suspicious or dangerous when I travel alone with my daughter."

"Every time I go out in public without her mother I get people watching me closely. I parked my car in a parking lot to feed her lunch a while back (didn't want to take her inside due to COVID) and a group of people gawked and circled our vehicle in their truck a few times. That is not an uncommon experience for me.I'm legitimately afraid to take her into a family bathroom because I fear some Karen is going to call the police and tell them I am doing something unspeakable because God forbid a man act like a nurturing parent in public. I'm scared I'm going to get a gun pulled on me in front of my daughter.A lot of people assume that a lone man with a child or adjacent to children is a predator by default.If they're not assuming I'm a predator, I still get comments like "Babysitting for mom?" No, I'm not babysitting for mom. I am her parent and I'm every bit as capable at it as her mother. Me taking my child to the park and feeding her lunch isn't "babysitting" just because I am doing it alone."

That kind of suspicion can turn a normal errand into a stressful one.

2. "Almost everyone I know has at some point ridiculed or bullied me because I don't like or want a car."

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3. "People trying to use their size to intimidate or invalidate you."

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Some of the comments here are less about one bad moment and more about a whole culture of pressure.

Toxic masculinity is a term that describes cultural norms that dictate how men should behave, often emphasizing aggression, emotional suppression, and dominance. This concept is widely discussed in psychological literature, with research showing that adherence to these norms can lead to negative outcomes for both men and those around them.

Studies in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology indicate that men who subscribe to traditional masculine ideals are less likely to seek help for mental health issues, leading to higher rates of anxiety and depression among men.

4. "I've been called 'gay' for rescuing a starving kitten and taking it to the RSPCA."

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5. "I got made fun of for wearing lifesaving safety gear on job sites."

"There are people now who can't taste, smell, or hear properly because they were too stubborn to put on earplugs and safety glasses, since it's 'not manly' to protect yourself apparently."

6. "Getting sh*t on for not caring about sports."

"I'm sorry, I just don't want to spend my time watching people run around a field. And no, I don't want to play sports video games either."gfycat

7. "For not smoking, drinking or doing drugs."

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It keeps showing up in small ways, then somehow becomes the rule instead of the exception.

8. "I grew up in a cowboy town."

"I saw a guy fall off his horse and break his leg. He refused to be helped off and insisted in getting back on his horse and riding out. There was an ambulance right there."

9. ""Cooking is the woman's job" said to me when I told them I like to cook"

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10. "After the final exam, my classmates and I went to a nearby bar to drink our pains away."

"I ordered a lime Margarita and was mocked by both the males and females that it was a girly drink. Same thing when I ordered a long Island afterwards. (I've now moved to cosmopolitans, since three or four can get me happy drunk, and tastes awesome!)"

11. "My earliest memory of toxic masculinity was when I was on my first grade basketball team."

"We got to pick our jersey numbers. I chose 14 because it was my aunt's number, who was a D1 college player at the time. When I told them this, the coaches laughed at me. Apparently looking up to a non-male athlete was frowned upon, even though none of the coaches made it past high school."

12. "I got raped by an ex. Nearly everyone I've told starts by arguing the toss that it wasn't actually rape."

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13. "My favorite color is purple. I've tried to wear purple, and nope, too many dumbass comments."

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For a lot of people, the problem is not one comment, it is the constant drip of them.

That fear of judgment echoes the in-law drama where skipping family gatherings for self-care becomes the breaking point.

Defining Toxic Masculinity

Toxic masculinity can significantly affect interpersonal relationships, often leading to issues in communication and emotional intimacy. Men exhibiting traits of toxic masculinity are more likely to engage in destructive behaviors in relationships.

These behaviors can manifest as emotional unavailability or aggression, creating barriers to healthy connections. Encouraging men to express vulnerability and seek emotional support can be an effective strategy to counteract these harmful patterns.

14. "I always wear seatbelts in cars..."

"...but every so often, someone will scoff or poke fun that I put my seatbelt on when we share a cab or an Uber. I don't feel like smashing out my front teeth if the driver gets into a fender bender."giphy

15. "About five years ago, I feel into a deep depression."

"I have been wrestling with the problem since I was a teen. I refused to see counselors for years until I snapped. As a man the expectations are to "hang tough". "Real men" don't need counseling was sort drilled into my head because it exhibited weakness. When I became suicidal, I had to leave my job and quite a few people insinuated I was weak. I sought treatment with the help of a psychologist and a counselor. That's when I realized the "manliness" garbage was toxic. I hate sports, cars and bullshit. I spend my time with my awesome wife not weekends with "the boys" ignoring my family. I haven't looked back since."

16. "Oh another one for me is when I grew my hair out."

"Most guys called me gay and that it looked girly. Yet, I was dating more women than ever during that time because a lot of the women I dated loved the hair. So I guess being straight is gay?"

17. "Being harassed by women multiple times and having it dismissed because I'm a man."

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18. "My dad. He's never been wrong about a god damn thing in his life. The solution to a problem he picks is the only solution."

"Examples include: lighting fires under our water pipes to thaw them out in cold weather for hours to fix a blockage, setting our house on fire at one point, when it turned out the block was at an elbow that was easily broken loose once mom found it. Another is his insistence on gluing s**t together with silicone to 'fix' vehicles. If I have a bad day, I clearly need a higher dose of antidepressants, as I'm a man and I'm not allowed to have negative emotions. Launching a piece of plastic into my eye breaking open the box of our water valve and it's my fault because I was 'sticking my face in it'If the man decided he was gonna headbutt his way through a brick wall, he wouldn't stop until his skull broke. He's ridiculous."

19. "I was expected to be able to chug alcohol and just keep on going."

"I just can't. I have a low threshold. I can't have like five shots of tequila and go about my business. I'll be a mess."

20. "When I told someone I was a chef, they told me that career path was for women."

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The thread keeps circling back to the same idea, men get policed for being too soft, too honest, or too different.

21. "Mainly how boys are raised to disregard pain and view emotions as a nuisance to be avoided and stifled."

"It’s helpful for getting things done but not so good for being mentally healthy."

22. "For being straight but exclusively using the gay trainers on Peloton."

"They are more fun and have better music, sorry not sorry."

23. "My mother in law told me to stop whining and "man up", we were new parents and I was working nights."

"The only thing I said was that I was "tired". It's stuff like that. I'm actually clinically depressed, but I never talk about it because I'm 6'3" and masculine so I'm not allowed to feel sad or tired."

24. "Lost power during a cold (and wet) spell pre-covid."

"As the building management guy who also lived in the building, I was tasked to stay on-site for the entire 10 days to coordinate repair efforts while the rest of the residents left for hotels/relatives' places. On the 7th day, I also got food poisoning and spent the day expelling from both ends while taking time in between to meet with contractors. The then girlfriend came home later that evening to see me pale, dehydrated, shivering, and exhausted in bed wearing all of my snow clothes. She asked how I was, I said "rough" and she went on to say how her day was so much worse because of some office drama. After her rant she asked why I didn't go make myself some tea as if I was stupid enough to not consider it.She was a self-proclaimed feminist but was always blind to my needs."

25. "My old roommate was the definition of toxic masculinity."

"He told his parents the other night that all other guys who go to the gym are 'betas,' while he is a 'biological alpha' and then proceeded to make fun of out-of-shape people at the gym."

26. "I remember in high school (I went to an all-boys school)..."

"I would go to watch my older sister play hockey, and I’d get made fun of. I never understood what the problem with going to watch a women’s hockey game was, especially one where my older sister was playing."

27. "Apparently guys are absolutely required to like any attention from a girl even if it's invasive as f**k or borderline rapey."

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28. "I work at a grocery store."

"I was ringing one day and one of the other register employees was giving this older gentleman a really hard time about wanting a bag to carry his stuff. She said something to the degree of “Come on! You should be able to carry that on your own; you’re a man. You’re supposed to be strong!” The dude had a cane with him. I’m not even sure if she realized what she was saying was demeaning and toxic. I turned around and gave her a WTF look.She didn’t last too long."

29. "Men in a group tend to sexualize any and all women"

"I hate thatAlso growing up I got s**t for not knowing about cars, like cause I’m a dude I should have the knowledge of a mechanic"

30. "I am currently in therapy to unlearn all the toxic behaviours I learned growing up."

"I learned in my 30s that feelings aren't a burden to be suppressed and ignored."

By the end, the pattern is hard to miss, the pressure starts early and follows people everywhere.

The article presents a compelling exploration of toxic masculinity, illustrating how deeply ingrained societal norms shape men's perceptions and behaviors. The firsthand accounts shared highlight a pressing need for change, emphasizing that embracing emotional openness can significantly enhance men's mental health and interpersonal relationships. This shift not only encourages men to express vulnerability but also fosters a broader understanding of masculinity that prioritizes emotional well-being over outdated ideals.

Want another family showdown, read how he finally spoke up after toxic criticism hurt his self-esteem at home: Dealing with Family Criticism, Standing Up for My Relationships.