Men often put up with tougher jobs, tougher treatment from society, and are statistically more likely to commit suicide. But they are disrespected by western society because of the push back on patriarchy.
Sitcoms depict men as lazy and stupid with smart and capable wives. Men are often struck by women in cartoons and are simply supposed to take it---but those who strike women are always depicted as bad.
But in reality, men often feel particularly burdened and responsible for their wives and families welfare. This is because God called them to lead.
Their masculinity is not toxic, but vital, as they are traditionally called to lay down their lives for women and children and to protect us with their strength.
What was toxic in my marriage was not my husband's masculinity, but the moments where I simply didn't understand. The times I assumed he wasn't as burdened as me. The times I didn't understand his need to be strong and not express all his emotions. The times that I listened to my friends and failed to respect him.
But for every time I obeyed the Word of God, God has blessed us all the more. A husband is like a covering over the wife. And so it is with my husband.
He is the patrol watching out for me. He sees danger and warns me of trouble long before it gets to me. He is the person who will say "no" on my behalf and his consistency and strength has saved me from ruin time and again.
In return, he doesn't seem to want a great deal of things. If anything, he counts me being relaxed and happy with him as his reward.
What's toxic is that men are expected to do a lot in relationships and women want to be treasured, but if a man has standards or expectations, we call him shallow or chauvinist.
Women are no longer taught what it means to build with a man. They're taught to expect him to have everything all together at once but this is not biblical.
The bible calls a wife a helpmeet. Because men need help. The Proverbs 31 woman whose husband is well known likely got there partly because of the virtuous woman's help.
What's toxic is that disrespecting women is considered offensive but disrespecting men has become the norm.
