Toxic Masculinity • 2 / 6

So you're saying women can't also be strong? 🤨 

'Man up' is another outdated and destructive phrase, along with: 

'Be a man.' 

'Suck it up.' 

'Don't be a girl.' 

The words and phrases we use communicate unintended messages without even realizing it. 

This communicates that strength and weakness are associated with and are essential parts to someone's sex and gender. 

These phrases imply to men that they can't express emotion unless it's in the form of anger or physical action. 

These phrases also imply to women that they are weak, fragile, sensitive, and inferior to men. 

If a man wants to eat chocolate and cry while watching a romance movie - so be it. 🍫 

If a woman wants to eat pizza and watch sports all day - more power to her. 🍕 

It's irrational to assume that a person's age, gender, or sex is somehow an indication of their strength or emotional intelligence. 

Men and women can be strong. 

Men and women can be weak. 

And what about those folks who don't identify as either? 

They can be strong and weak as well. 

Strength is not tied to manliness. 

The truth is: 

It often takes the most strength to rely on others and to seek help when you need it.