Stu wrote:The very phrase "toxic masculinity" would, if rephrased in respect of any other demographic group, be considered as hate speech. For example: young black men are disproportionately responsible for offences of mugging in certain UK cities - now imagine the uproar if someone suggested that "toxic blackness" is a thing. This is identity politics of the worst kind. People are individuals, not simply elements within a collective.
The notion of the "patriarchy" in modern western societies is a ridiculous myth. It does not stand up to scrutiny and falls apart when critically examined. It is just another manifestation of feminist misandry.
What men choose to wear is a matter exclusively for men. Feminists like the writer of this tosh would recoil if men tried to dictate what women should be wearing.
I don't need education on this issue - and certainly not from you. Has it ever occurred to you that you have been suckered in to believing that what is effectively a hate cult is far from the benign movement interested in gender equality which you seem to imagine?
Regarding young black men, some do use the excuse of being singled out is due to their colour. Sadly it's more likely due to the lock knife in their trouser pocket. If you do try the "race card" it can get you put in the back of the police van quicker than just standing there. A lot of black boys have limited opportunities, sometimes due to prejudice, poor education system, are from single parent or low income families, and the draw of easy money by joining a gang is more appealing than KFC or McDonalds and working your way up, or applying yourself in school.
As regards men's fashion, it is increasingly common to read of men wearing skirts to, erm, skirt round restrictive laws in the workplace (usually no shorts), especially in a heatwave. We know the practicality of skirts and don't mind the accessories that come with them, but to most guys, shorts and trousers are more practical (pockets, not sitting carefully), probably the same reason fewer women wear skirts. I couldn't see a man carrying an additional bag because skirt pockets are too small or non existent.
Sadly the Trans lobby has jumped on this so it will be hard to convince your regular bloke, even those builders in dresses more than likely did it for a laugh, especially if they had access to shorts instead. Kilts, although fashionable, are too expensive and managing pleats can be a pain... denim pencil skirts are a good start, some have useable pockets, and cargo skirts can look good enough. For fairly new skirters, you rarely get more than double takes, nothing shocks people anymore.
But unless pricing improves, or more celebrities (apart from unhinged rappers, or those percieved to be transitioning like Eddie Izzard), I doubt many men will take up skirts. Talking of taking up skirts, when nature calls, that could be quite a sight in a few years' time at the urinal if the fashion takes off
dealing with tights will annoy most men as well. Best we could hope for is denim and chino skirts, worn casually with scrunched down socks and boots
Also, how will the women feel? They may not like it on "their man"...