Is it possible that you are using toxic masculinity to describe something else?
"The concept of toxic masculinity is used in the social sciences to describe traditional norms of behavior among men in contemporary American and European society that are associated with detrimental social and psychological effects. Such “toxic” masculine norms include dominance, devaluation of women, extreme self-reliance, and the suppression of emotions.
Conformity with certain traits viewed as traditionally male, such as misogyny, homophobia, and violence, can be considered “toxic” due to harmful effects on others in society, while related traits, including self-reliance and the stifling of emotions, are correlated with harm to men themselves through psychological problems such as depression, increased stress, and substance abuse. Other traditionally masculine traits such as devotion to work, pride in excelling at sports, and providing for one’s family, are not considered to be toxic."
Because the reality is that isolation, extreme, self reliance and the repression of all emotions other than anger kills men, either in the immediate due to violence, or in the long term due to stress over time or in the abscence of support systems. None of it neccesary in leadership or survival stress management. It will hinder your shock response and prolong your fever.
I agree that we are living in high stress levels and mental pain, and in the abscence of coping skills and the ability to process emotions, people are resorting to extremes.
