20 Examples Of "Positive Masculinity", As Shared By People In This Online Group

“Toxic masculinity” has been an important topic of debate on the internet for the past few years. People have even started to discuss “toxic femininity” now. But what about the positive side of this spectrum? Have you ever thought about what positive masculinity looks like?

Today we'll put some light on the positive side of masculinity. When someone asked on Reddit "We hear a lot about toxic masculinity, but what are your favourite examples of positive masculinity?", many people revealed their stories, ideas, and opinions about positive masculinity. Scroll below to read some of those answers. More Info: Reddit

#1 Guys Being Open About Their Mental Health

Image source: AnxietyOctopus, Michael Coghlan "My husband and his best friend calling each other up to talk about their mental health struggles and support each other through tough times."

#2 Switching Seats With Someone Who's Being Harrassed

Image source: sagegreenpaint78, Henry Burrows "My husband switching seats on an airline with a teenage girl being harassed by an old creep. Hes very large, bearded, and wears metal t-shirts. He plopped down next to creeper and said "you said you were buying drinks?""

#3 Men Being Supportive Of Their Wives' Careers

Image source: bobot_, Jim Bauer "bobot_ said: My husband is my biggest supporter when it comes to my career. He's like my hype man when I'm doubting myself. I value it so much. (Side note: I earn more and if anything, it just makes him prouder). saint_of_thieves replied: Guy here. When I got married, my dad gave me a piece of advice. He said to help each other achieve the other person's dreams. If you don't, you're just two people living in the same house."

#4 Being A Good Father Figure

Image source: ral365, heymarchetti "ral365 said: A father being a good example for his son. magnusbearson replied: Growing up poor, having a father who dedicated his time for me and my brothers meant the world. Has given me emotional tools I observe lacking in many of my friends. So I sometimes take that role with them, having the hard talks and explaining in depth the nuances of life."

#5 Dads Not Shaming Their Sons For Crying

Image source: anon, Gregg O'Connell "anonymous said: A father not shaming their sons for crying. zoidberg005 replied: When I see a man who is able to cry, I see a powerful strong person who knows how to deal with their emotions in a healthy way. This is what I want for my son. This is something I do not have myself."

#6 Dads Bonding With Daughters Without Caring What Others Think

Image source: kayydeebe, mliu92 "Absolutely any time dads do fun things with their daughters and don't care about how they look! Dads with makeup, coloured nails, and fun hairstyles make my heart melt."

#7 Making You Comfortable When You Take A Nap

Image source: teflonfairy, Samm "I fell asleep on the sofa after a really hard day, but I was sort of dozing, not fully asleep. My 16 year old son came into the room, saw me sleeping, and started tiptoeing around, shut the blinds, turned the lights off and covered me in a blanket because he was going to use the backyard gym which required a window to be open for an extension lead and he didn't want me to get cold. It was just so thoughtful and did surprise me a bit because he normally has tunnel vision. He's also really stepped up the last few weeks, I've been on sick leave, I'm a nurse and got attacked by a patient so have my hand in a soft cast for ligament damage. He's cooked pretty much every evening. He has also been meal planning for the week. I am married, but it's turned into a bit of 'us time' and he's really enjoying learning to cook. I'm so proud of him and told him this the other day and we had a huge hug. I love him so much."

#8 Dads Teaching Other Dads To Do Their Daughters' Hair

Image source: Physical-Primary-256, Todd Van Hoosear "Physical-Primary-256 said: A single dad started teaching other dads how to do their daughters hair. StinkApprentice replied: A local girl scout troop did their Silver Award project called "Daddy Doo's" and taught fathers how to do their younger daughters hair. And had gift packs for the girls. It ran the gammut of giant meatheads, tiny skinny guys, and everyone in between. They ended up adding two more sessions because it became so popular."

#9 Reciprocating Gifts

Image source: 2curmudgeony, Rich Mackey "In high school one time, a guy gave his guy best friend a birthday gift, and guy 2 loved it so much he gave guy 1 the biggest hug in the middle of class. I think everyone’s hearts melted. All guys should be that confident / allowed to be that confident."

#10 Guys Saying "Love You" To Each Other

Image source: darko2309, Sean MacEntee "My bros and friends are all hood but we've got into the habit of saying "love you" whenever we leave. We've lost so many friends and family the last few years (not due to covid)."

#11 "Gym Bros" Being Supportive Of Other People Working Out

Image source: DEFINITELY_NOT_PETE, David Howard "DEFINITELY_NOT_PETE said: Gym bros randomly appearing to spot or encourage is hilarious and positive. StinkyStangler replied: I remember when I was a little younger, like 19 or so, I had just started going to the gym frequently and was trying to start deadlifts. I obviously had no idea what I was doing and felt mad self conscious, but some random huge dude came up to me, gave me help with my form and technique, and then just wandered off. That always stood out to me and really helped me get more comfortable in the gym."

#12 Letting Women Do Traditionally Masculine Things In Place Of Men

Image source: phoenix0119, Emyr Jones "So, a couple months into dating my boyfriend he bought a truck. Well, it started making a grinding noise a few weeks later. Some context, I'm a female mechanic. So, when I went over that weekend I offered to take a look at it. We did some grocery shopping for supper. And then when we got back I started to work on it. He made supper. And then when he was done he came out and sat with me. My ex wouldn't even let me work on his truck with him because he didn't like that I knew more about it then him. And when I first met my Bf he told everyone we met that I was a mechanic."

#13 Terry Crews, Because Of His Openness About Sexual Assault Against Him

Image source: OSUfirebird18, terrycrews "Freaking Terry Crews! In a world where men are shamed for talking about sexual assault against them, Terry Crews openly does it! And he’s seen as the “big dude manly man”. He’s trying to set an example for other male victims out there."

#14 Dads Teaching Love For Mothers Despite Divorce

Image source: anon, heymarchetti "anonymous said: A father teaching his sons to love and respect their mother even though they’re in the middle of a nasty divorce. More-Masterpiece-561 replied: Years ago I saw this post on FB that a father was helping out his sons to cook his ex wife's favorite dish and bake a cake for her birthday. I was a preteen at the time, I thought that's the kind of man I wanna be when I grow up."

#15 Son Singing And Caring For His Mom With Dementia

Image source: Thatsmytesla, 1950sUnlimited "My brother would sing quietly to our mother in the nursing home when she no longer knew him because of dementia. He would brush her hair and wipe her face with a warm flannel to comfort her. It was beautiful."

#16 Dads Being Good To Kids That Aren't Theirs

Image source: KiokiBri, StockyPics "Not sure if this counts… but my step dad would still come pick up my sister and I every single weekend even though we weren’t really his kids. Growing up my mom and him would break up sometimes and he said to us one day; I may not be y’all’s biological father but I will always be y’all’s dad regardless. They eventually married and are 30+ years strong today. He’s the best man I know."

#17 Pastors Supporting LGBTQ+ Folks

Image source: StinkApprentice, michael_swan "The pastor at my church brings a group to the pride parade to support "all of god's children." He started asking me come with them to give out "dad hugs" to the younger folks who have been abandoned by their families because they are gay. He said I'm the most dad like person he's met, huge, bald, beard, glasses, pot belly, flannel shirt, etc. Most of the people I gave hugs to did it as a lark, but there were a few who really needed to get a big bear hug and be told that they're ok, and I'm proud of them."

#18 Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President Of Ukraine

Image source: bluep3001, President Of Ukraine "bluep3001 said: President Zelenskyy… Heavy_Mycologist_104 replied: Abso-[friggin]-lutely, THIS. Zelenskiy is a true hero, forced in impossible situations to step up and show incredible bravery and humanity."

#19 Hockey Players And Fans Banging On The Glass In Support

Image source: Preskewl_Prostitewt, Amanda "I’m a figure skater. We share the ice with hockey players, and I cannot get over how nice it feels when hockey players get rowdy and bang on the glass and cheer when you’re doing something cool, the same way a hockey fan would at an exciting hockey game. It’s hilarious but it’s also confidence inducing. When it first happened, I thought they were trolling me. I just rolled my eyes and continued my practice. But when I got off the ice, I was swarmed with questions like: “HOW DO YOU DO ALL THAT WITHOUT PADDING OR A HELMET?!” “HOW DO YOU LAUNCH YOURSELF INTO THE AIR LIKE THAT?” “AREN’T YOU AFRAID OF FALLING?” “DON’T YOU GET DIZZY SPINNING THAT FAST?” It’s wholesome as f**k. They’re genuinely intrigued by this sport. A bunch of dudes who make their own sport even more entertaining by beating the s**t out of each other have no shame in getting rowdy to hype up their figure skating counterparts. EDIT: Thank you guys for the awards!! I love sharing these types of wholesome experiences with anyone who will listen!"

#20 Using Your Pickup Truck To Help Others

Image source: Kate_be_my_GF, dave_7 "Using pickup trucks to help others out, Need help moving? In the Ditch? Stuck in the snow? Gimme 5 mins to throw some pants on and I'm there"