Positive Masculinity
Explore below to see various examples of positive masculinity, extending our discussion from Ted Lasso’s locker room into broader popular culture.
Uncle Iroh is a beloved character from the series "Avatar: The Last Airbender." He demonstrates positive masculinity by guiding his nephew Zuko, through his trauma by encouraging him to feel his emotions and allow himself to choose his own path.
John Keating from Dead Poets Society challenges the patriarchy and emotionally repressive society at Welton Academy by encouraging the boys to feel their emotions. He encourages the students the beauty and poets is not a weakness, but strength.
@thesecretlifeofdads is an instagram account that created an event in their local community called "Pints & Ponytails" where dads gather at their local bar and enjoy a drink while learning how to do various hairstyles on a dummy's hair so they can take their skill back to their daughters at home. Recently the event expanded to "Periods, Ponytails, and Pints, where dads also learn about periods. The event encourages men that learning a new skill doesn't have to be inherently feminine, and shame has no place in parenthood.
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The term "Bromance" frequently mentioned in popular culture is used to describe intense friendship between two men. The term has allowed men to show affection to each other without scrutiny from those affected by toxic masculinity.
Harry Styles is a singer-songwriter who often breaks news-headlines with his flashy . and sometimes feminine clothing. He is bold about his style choices and unapologetic when the man-o-sphere attempts to shame him.
Spider-man is the dorky, lovable, high school - age kid who is also awesome at kicking-but. he represents young-men who can be smart, witty, and strong at the same time. His genuine often gets him out of sticky situations and not his super-powers.
The Empty Netters podcast is a hockey based podcast hosted by brothers Dan and Chris Powers, as well as former NHL player Nate Thompson. The podcast experienced recent vitality after watching a reviewing a gay hockey romance TV series. The podcasters were praised for having little to no reaction about they TV series being queer focused.
Black Panther (T'Challa) emphasizes his positive masculinity by having a willingness to share power, being vulnerable with his community, and prioritizing emotional intelligence. He is able able to be a protector, as well as emotionally available.
Eric and Otis from Netflix's Sex Education show a loving friendship between two boys where they are able to open up to one another and be emotionally vulnerable. They are not concerned on whether they will be perceived as in a relationship, and don't let remarks from bullies get in the way of their friendship.
Pedro Pascal is a Latino actor who is able to have a playful self-expression on and off camera. He expresses vulnerability with his characters, and with himself.