Is There a War on Masculinity?

There a was video posted on The Grapevine which is a YouTube channel which posts videos of varying panels discussing current social issues within the country and also globally. I thought back to a chapter within MSO entitled "The Bullying Demands of Masculinity: A Genderqueer Escape". Though a little more specific in terms of Fagan delving into his personal story of discovering his own gender identity, the overarching sentiment I received in that masculinity in an of itself becomes problematic once characterized and personified as being monolithic and concrete as opposed to fluid and mutable across all identities. I don't necessarily believe there is a war on masculinity, rather those negatively impacted (and even those who may benefit) finally making efforts toward bringing attention to the harmful effects masculinity as defined by western society may cause. 

I mentioned during module six that I don't believe most women and men with the best intentions engage in what is deemed to be "male-bashing" but are in fact holding those who perpetuate toxic masculinity accountable for their actions and behaviors. Like those who receive constructive criticisms as male-bashing or misandry, I believe those who view challenging the traditional ideas of masculinity as oppression aren't themselves critically confronting the reality they've grown accustom to yet fighting back at those who only seek to make a more level playing field. I questioned why that may be and came to the conclusion that for many people, they tie masculinity the the entirety of their being and allow it to define the whole of their identity to the point where they may feel personally attacked because who they are and what they do doesn't exceed the bounds of the box they've conditioned themselves to operate within. 

I find it also important to acknowledge that women may also assist in the success of toxic masculinity by treating femininity in men as negative and undesirable. As a whole, it is important that we divorce our assumptions about gender from characteristics and personality. I think we all have both masculine and feminine energies and the "war" on masculinity isn't about attacking men as a whole or even individually yet allowing for people to discover who they are beyond the boundaries of how toxic masculinity tells us we need to navigate life.