We all experience gender. We are all limited by oppressive gender stereotypes.”
‘Toxic Masculinity’ is the term used to describe certain behaviours and standards attributed to men that are deemed harmful to both themselves and wider society. Usually associated with stereotypes around dominance, control, and superiority, these misogynistic traits have historically been discarded under the banner of sayings like ‘boys will be boys’. But, with more and more resources becoming available on the health and societal consequences of these attitudes, check out What We Reading for our top 8 books about Toxic Masculinity.
The Descent of Man – Grayson Perry
In The Descent of Man, Grayson Perry takes a look at what sort of man is needed to make the world a more inclusive and accepting place for everyone. Presented with a dry wit and quick humour, Perry breaks apart the notion of masculinity coming from power and physical appearances and offers fresh alternatives.
What also makes The Descent of Man one of the great books about toxic masculinity is the honesty Perry also delivers. Owning up to how he is sometimes caught short in outdated expectations, there’s a relatability with the book that every man will find comfort in.
Boys Will Be Boys – Clementine Ford
Clementine Ford’s Boys Will Be Boys: Power, Patriarchy and the Toxic Bonds of Mateship tackles the notion that everyone is concerned that their female loved ones are going to be hurt, but rarely stop to consider the possibility their male friends and family members might be the ones doing the hurting.
One of the most influential Australian Feminists of her day, Ford is the author of Fight Like A Girl, one of the most trailblazing books on Equality around. Boys Will Be Boys explains not only how entrenched toxic masculinity is with archaic viewpoints on superiority, but also how it negatively impacts men as well as women in contemporary society.
The Man They Wanted Me To Be – Jared Yates Sexton
A stinging and relevant look at the toxic attitudes that surround the white working classes of America, The Man They Wanted Me To Be is Jared Yates Sexton’s own personal accounts of how he and his family have been affected by them during their lives.
One of the most imaginative and informative looks at how traditional expectations on men have become impossible to reach in contemporary society, Sexton expertly breaks apart patriarchal norms. Where this book on Toxic Masculinity excels is in its frank openness and honesty, giving readers a truly eye-opening insight into these traits in full effect.
For the Love of Men – Liz Plank
For the Love of Men: A New Vision for Mindful Masculinity is a powerful deep-dive into how society’s perceptions of masculinity have evolved over time courtesy of Liz Plank.
Complete with detailed research and an engrossing tone, Plank details how gender roles have managed to remain stagnant against a rising tide of change sweeping across society. For women looking to guide men in their lives, and men looking to better themselves and society as a whole, it is one of the best feminist resources out there.
Of Boys And Men – Richard V. Reeves
From core academic failures and falling wages to rising suicide rates, Richard V. Reeves explores how men are failing in modern Western societies. A compelling and incredibly insightful take on the issues men face with identity in the modern world, Reeves offers logical solutions without pointing blame.
One of the most well-researched and convincing arguments against Toxic Masculinity, Of Boys And Men is a much-needed 2022 resource that speaks to our heads, as well as our hearts.
The Macho Paradox – Jackson Katz
Jackson Katz’s The Macho Paradox: Why Some Men Hurt Women and How All Men Can Help is a challenging book on Toxic Masculinity that engages readers in one of the most crucial conversations society can host.
Praised as one of the leading conscience-raising resources on the subject, Katz expertly cuts to the crux of the issues that leads to violence against women and offers genuine hope on how all genders can unite to end abuse and degradation.
Amateur: A True Story About What Makes a Man – Thomas Page McBee
Shortlisted as one of Buzzfeed’s Best Nonfiction Books and The Times’ Best Memoirs, Amateur: A True Story About What Makes a Man is Thomas Page McBee’s radical personal take on perceptions surrounding masculinity.
A trans man and self-proclaimed ‘amateur’ when it comes to traditional masculinity, McBee employs fellow experts on critical race theory, neuroscience, and sociology in an effort to present a complete guide on misogyny, privilege, and Toxic Masculinity in our society. One of the most thought-provoking books for those looking for a more deft and personalised approach, it’s a wonderful collection of insights from the first trans man to box at Madison Square.
Man Up: Surviving Modern Masculinity – Jack Urwin
Best known for his work with VICE, Jack Urwin famously claimed men ‘didn’t have to be the men our grandfathers were’. In Man Up: Surviving Modern Masculinity, Urwin takes readers across how toxic attitudes have evolved across different generations of men.
From failing to deal with the horrors of two World Wars, hooliganism on the football terraces and the rampant rise of mental health issues in modern society, Man Up is one of the most invaluable books on Toxic Masculinity in the 21st Century. Urwin delivers these insights will a colloquialism that makes even the most jarring of realisations accessible and ready for discussion.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
