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Toxic Masculinity Says “Real Men Don’t Recycle”
By Ash CAug. 9 2019, Updated 5:59 p.m. ET
New research conducted at Penn State University titled Gender Bending and Gender Conformity: The Social Consequences of Engaging in Feminine and Masculine Pro-Environmental Behaviors suggests that traditional gender roles are causing some men to not care for the environment. This is because they perceive certain pro-environmental behaviors to be “gay.”
According to Penn State professor of psychology and lead researcher Janet K. Swim, men can be unwilling to perform environmentally friendly tasks such as recycling, using reusable bags, or turning off the air conditioner because “pro-environmental behaviors have been characterized as feminine” and they don’t want to look gay. The three-part study involved 960 participants and is focused on men and women both avoiding and engaging in “feminine” and “masculine” behaviors. They found that both genders were more likely to question a man’s sexual orientation if he engaged in pro-environmental behaviors because it fits in with women’s traditional role as caregivers and nurturers.
-“Reflecting the tendency to see environmentalism as feminine, all the people were rated as more feminine than masculine regardless of the behaviors they did.
People may avoid certain behaviors because they are managing the gendered impression they anticipate others will have of them. Or they may be avoided if the behaviors they choose do not match their gender.”
“Reflecting the tendency to see environmentalism as feminine, all the people were rated as more feminine than masculine regardless of the behaviors they did.
People may avoid certain behaviors because they are managing the gendered impression they anticipate others will have of them. Or they may be avoided if the behaviors they choose do not match their gender.”
It was found that some people think it’s important to be viewed as heterosexual, and “men were most likely to socially distance themselves” from gender nonconforming behavior. Professor Swim added that it is important to understand these social consequences because they may hold people back from engaging in behaviors that could ultimately help the environment.
I don’t know man. I mean, who would want to look gay? Can’t relate bro. I just feel like loving the planet that’s literally given us everything we have is kinda gay. Not to mention recycling. I’m not a sissy. Are you a sissy? No homo brooo.
