Masculinity: Where It Might Be Headed, and Where It Is Now

Masculinity 1.0 and, perhaps, 2.0?

First: Where is “masculinity” (broad concept) at right now?

I’m not sure how nuanced this argument will be, but let me try to paint the edges. I see stuff fairly consistently about “how masculinity is evolving,” and on my main site once, I wrote about how we needed a new definition for masculinity, citing this passage from a University of Michigan business school professor:

Showing vulnerability. Men are socialized to not ask for help or be vulnerable — and they can be penalized when they challenge this notion. An informative set of studies from 2015 finds that when male (but not female) leaders ask for help, they are viewed as less competent, capable, and confident. And when men make themselves vulnerable by disclosing a weakness at work, they are perceived to have lower status. This is problematic, as not seeking help when you need it or admitting areas for improvement…