We are all limited by oppressive gender stereotypes. We must transcend the myth of the gender war. We're all on the same team. Benevolent sexism is sort of like the Macarena: you don't remember when you learned it, but for some reason you're really good at it.

This “man up” attitude matures into a rejection of empathy toward others and repackages nurturing impulses as “weak.” Anxiety can also develop if children are not trained to manage their feelings appropriately. Toxic Masculinity opposes mental and physical health treatment even when injured or emotionally struggling.

Toxic (and even positive) masculinity restricts and narrows down how we define ourselves. Healthy masculinity, instead, is about being yourself and embracing a limitless range of healthy emotions and values, regardless of gender.