Yours truly has been working on some other projects lately, but I have been thinking a lot about healthy models of masculinity. I talk a lot here about unhealthy patterns of masculinity, particularly in queer spaces, and I would like to turn that conversation around to healthy patterns of masculinity. I like to think my masculinity is in a mostly healthy place, though it certainly took me a while to get here, but, however, I am definitely my own individual person and am in no way wanting to be or trying to be a guide post or model for everyone else, so, going from my post on ableism here and radfems on masculinity here, what do we all think healthy models of masculinity include?
I'll start us off by stating that I think health masculinity includes (and none of these traits are exclusive to masculinity): an understanding of the ways that society privileges masculinity, regardless of the degree of privilege the person in question gets for that masculinity; respect and acceptance of others; the ability to admit to flaws and ask for help; providing help when able to; compassion for others; and seeing oneself as interconnected to the people around oneself.
Any other ideas? Additions?
06 July 2008
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