What is the liberal version of masculinity

One of the biggest problems liberals faced this cycle and the preceding cycles leading up to this election is defining men’s role in the party and society. The focus on toxic masculinity ended up just describing all masculinity as toxic. Masculinity was originally described as a set of behaviors and attitudes that signify maleness. But increasingly, it seems liberals moved it from a positive thing to something inherently harmful. I am a liberal man, and more often than not I saw pundits, politicians, and the people most vocal on the left attacking the characteristics of men while questioning why they were losing the male vote.

25% say people in the United States have mostly negative views of men who are “manly or masculine.” This is smaller than the shares who say people have mostly positive views of masculine men (43%) or that views are neither positive nor negative (31%). But among Republican men, 45% think people have negative views of masculine men.

Again it is because the left focused too much on destroying the construct of manhood without first replacing it. More and more men felt isolated and or ostracized as people more and more attacked them as the root of all social problems.

I became aware of a trend while working on campaigns, particularly as I observed discussions on social media and alternative media. I noticed that some liberals were attacking or mocking individuals like Richard Reeves and Scott Galloway, who spoke about the challenges men face. This left me feeling alienated from people who I believed should be on my side. After Harris’s loss, it seems liberals are now searching for their own version of Joe Rogan to provide answers. However, they had a chance to engage with Joe Rogan, and their criticisms of Scott and Richard — who actually align with them — indicate a need to first accept men for who they are.

As a liberal man, I believe that liberals might have to consider the difficult task of developing policies aimed at men rather than merely trying to recruit them as allies for women’s issues.

One of the strengths conservatives possess is a clear narrative that they consistently uphold. While I don’t necessarily agree with their vision of masculinity, it resonates with some men. The conservative version and the liberal version of masculinity aren’t too far apart; the difference lies in their order and emphasis. As one of my favorite podcasters, Scott Galloway, stated, a man is a “provider, protector, and procreator.” Conservatives openly embrace these roles, while the narrative often portrays liberals as hindering men from fulfilling these identities. We need to counter that narrative without endorsing toxic masculinity.

A good man takes care of his family and community, protects those in need, and pursues personal desires that are not harmful. It’s important to recognize and encourage these positive traits. We already have policies in place that support these values; we just need to emphasize them more. Most men seek policies that help them build and sustain their families, careers, and wealth. Traditionally, men have been seen as providers and protectors, and policies that benefit men ultimately benefit all workers.