5 Powerful Ways To Rethink Masculinity: Breaking The Cycle

The ancient stereotypes surrounding masculinity have been around since ages. But over time, it has only turned toxic, dictating the society what an ideal man should do or look like. Hence the time has arrived to rethink masculinity and redefine it for good.

Why Rethink Masculinity at Home?

The first and foremost question that arises here is – why do we even need to rethink masculinity in the first place? Well, the simple and straightforward answer is to relieve ourselves and our loved ones from the cage of age-old societal perceptions that’s no longer serving us.

But in order to redefine masculinity we need to understand what real strength actually means. Real strength lies in pulling others up, not putting them down.

It takes courage to be able to express your true feelings and emotions and that’s why suppressing your emotions and hiding your tears is not going to help you feel stronger.

If you have a hard time dealing with difficult or painful emotions, you can give these strategies a try.

Try this at home:

Share feelings in small dose, like saying: “I had a tough day at work.”
Asking for help when things feel overwhelming.
Apologizing when wrong; this shows you are capable of taking responsibility.

5 Ways To Redefine Masculinity

Now let’s see how we can redefine masculinity starting with our family.

1. Working towards breaking out of gender roles

Breaking the mould always comes first in bringing about a positive change. Starting with our own family at home is first and most important step in breaking the cycle of toxic masculinity. Chores and caregiving aren’t gendered.

If dad never cooks or mom always does emotional check-ins, kids internalize that pattern. They must see the right actions so that they can learn and imbibe the important lessons of life.

Lead through examples and become a positive influence in their lives.

Breaking the mold starts with sharing responsibilities:

Rotate household tasks.
Make emotional labor (checking in, listening) everyone’s job.
Encourage hobbies beyond stereotypes—let boys attend ballet classes and girls race cars.

2. Watch Your Words, because Language Shapes Beliefs

Children absorb what they hear. Breaking the mold won’t be easy if they continue to listen to words which push them more towards toxicity rather than helping them move towards breaking the cycle.

Phrases like “don’t cry like a girl” reinforce such toxic norms.

Replace them with affirmations:

“It’s okay to feel sad.”
“Tell me what you’re feeling.”
“Crying doesn’t make you weak.”

Simple swaps like these can be helpful in breaking the cycle of shame and creating a safe emotional space at home for all.

3. Micro-Interventions: Stop Toxic Phrases Gently

When you hear, “You throw like a girl,” or “You run like a girl“, pause and say, “What does that mean? Maybe we don’t need that phrase.”

This sort of calm approach prevents defensiveness and plants seeds for better thinking and hence helps to rethink masculinity.

Once we can bring about the positive shift on the young impressionable minds, their actions will reflect the same positive change, in this way it help them in breaking the mould and redefine masculinity.

4. Role Model of Emotional Openness

Kids learn by example. If they see you shutting down, they’ll mirror that. Try to be a better, positive role model by keeping these things in mind. Share what stresses you out, and how you manage it.

Express joy, sadness, or fear without any guilt or shame shows that only a strong person can be vulnerable, it is not the other way round. Vulnerability is strength, not weakness.

Kids learn by example. If they see you shutting down, they’ll mirror that. Try to be a positive role model by keeping these things in mind.

5. Rejecting violence and aggression

“You need to man up!!!” Men hear this all the time. Being a man does not necessarily mean that they have to be physically violent or verbally abusive.

We do not need to accept and encourage the use of violence and abuse in all forms and hence should avoid it at all costs.

Teaching softness and politeness to young boys can help them understand that kindness and compassion are human virtues, and it is not gender specific.

Change Starts With Us

We can’t rewrite society overnight, but we can rethink masculinity in our homes today. When we break the mold, share emotions openly, and show equality in action, we plant seeds for a healthier future.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is toxic masculinity?

Toxic masculinity refers to the societal norms and preconceived notions surrounding the ideal man and what a real man is expected to do, appear or how he should behave.

How can we start to rethink masculinity at home?

Any change should take place in the mind first, then the action follows. We must become the change we wish to see in the world.

What are some practical steps that can be taken in order to break the cycle of toxic masculinity?

– Start the change at home.
– Use gender-neutral words for example sportsperson or athlete instead of sportsman.
– Encouraging men to express their emotional and vulnerable side without any hesitation.