The Effects of All-Male Spaces
Additionally men are more likely to express unhealthy or toxic forms of masculinity when they are being judged by solely men, as opposed to solely women or a mix of men and women (source). No matter what they personally think about what it means to be a man, they are often influenced by what they think other men are expecting of them.
For this reason, male-only spaces (such as fraternities, sports teams, or prisons) can breed misogyny and violence.
For example, while many men are not excessively aggressive or domineering before they enter prison, many adopt these qualities if they think they have to in order to survive or be respected by other men. However, the toxic masculinity that is created in prison can stay with them after they leave prison (source). Being unable to “walk away” when provoked and feeling unable to ever express vulnerability can contribute to men feeling isolated and like there is no alternative to hyper-masculine behavior (source).
College fraternities are another prime example of this, where hazing rituals often involve forcing young men to drink excessive amounts of alcohol, perform tasks that endanger them, or withstand physical or emotional abuse.
Since 1970, at least one person has died every year due to hazing.
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94% of hazing deaths have male victims.
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Eighty percent of fraternity members claim to have been hazed (source). Men often interpret their own aggression positively: as a way to control others, to assert their integrity, and to improve self-esteem (source). This can reinforce the view that stereotypically male behaviors are entirely in men’s best interests, when, in reality, they can endanger the well-being and lives of men.
Men have been taught that holding power over others, drinking excessively, and withstanding physical pain are all essential to being a man, and it is killing them. Although today's society has made progress in many areas, the ways men feel like they have to prove themselves needs to drastically change.