A University of Wisconsin-Whitewater professor is urging schools to implement “men’s projects” to fight “toxic masculinity” in children as early as kindergarten.
In a recent academic journal, Kathleen Elliott argues there are “consequences of simplified, toxic forms of masculinity in schools and society.”
Mel Feit, director of the National Center for Men, says she completely missed the mark.
“Boys are not doing well in school,” says Feit. “Compared to girls, girls are doing much better and if you can't understand that because you see little boys as toxic monsters that have to be changed, you can't start to even identify what the problem is.”
“The professor in Wisconsin who said we need to correct toxicity in men, defined toxicity as physical strength, heterosexual prowess, precisely the kinds of things a lot of women want.”
Feit says little boys too often are punished for being boys.
“It kind of creates an impression that girls are what? Perfect? Not in need of any change? Not in need of introspection?” he asks. “I think it's good for both boys and girls to reflect on gender role stereotypes and the kinds of people they want to be. This is not a problem just for boys.”