Toxic Masculinity
Dear Editor: In the Friday, June 16, edition of the Daily Sitka Sentinel, there was an article published regarding the Sitka Youth Leadership Committee’s Mold Your Masculinity campaign. In this article (page 3) SYLC stated that the concept of their campaign was to raise awareness about masculinity norms and redefine what it means to be a man in today’s society. Furthermore, SYLC news releases were quoted saying, “Society defines masculinity as being physically strong, aggressive, superior, and in control,” and that “boys grow up believing that ‘real men’ hide emotions, dominate women, and have a thirst for power.”
As a young man and a lifelong Sitkan, this article brings to mind several questions, foremost, where in Sitka has “toxic masculinity” been established to a degree where the Mold your Masculinity Campaign is necessary to reform it? In my personal experience, I have never been encouraged by my parents, peers, or coaches to be toxically masculine in any way, shape, or form. During my childhood, healthy competition, self-refinement, and individual strength were always emphasized and were viewed as the foundation to becoming a respectful, virtuous, and responsible person, not as tools to obtain power and control over others.
Growing up in Sitka, it was never suggested to me that men must hide their emotions in order to be accomplished people in today’s world. Instead, I was taught that being able to manage your feelings, so you don’t impulsively act, will help keep you from making rash decisions that waste both time and energy.
I ask SYLC (or anyone for that matter) to be more specific in answering where and how “toxic masculinity” has infiltrated our local community; and if we are indeed practicing toxic behaviors, how SYLC suggests we alter our lives. I look forward to reading any comments or answers to my questions in a future article of the Daily Sitka Sentinel.
Ardel Wilkinson, Sitka
