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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics

Man-shaming is not the way to address toxic masculinity

Young businessman staring at woman on escalator
‘We are confronted with toxic competitiveness, which enables callous ruthlessness to be the easy path to leadership, power and wealth.’ Photograph: RuslanDashinsky/Getty Images/iStockphoto

I began reading the article by Humza Yousaf, Scotland’s first minister, with a feeling of hope as the issue of misogyny was being tackled by such a prominent UK politician (Misogynists like Andrew Tate hold sway over thousands of men and boys. Male leaders like me must address that, 15 August). But I was disappointed by its bland virtue-signalling and lack of any real substance.

It’s not enough to ask men simply to reflect. Most men are already on the side of preventing suffering by women and girls, but many are unaware how language or actions they haven’t noticed may be interpreted. We do need to discuss the problems at times, to educate men and boys about the behaviours that make women feel uncomfortable, but specifics are important rather than general man-shaming.

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