As a straight, intentionally childless, cat-less, postmenopausal woman, I take great pride in my identity. I am an unaffiliated voter who not only embraces my Black heritage but also values and cherishes the diversity within my family. This diversity includes members who identify as Latino, Asiatic, Puerto Rican, White, and LGBTQ+.
Given the current climate of the #MeToo movement, the incel rebellion in Charlottesville, ongoing culture wars, frequent school shootings, and the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, I have become especially fatigued and disheartened by the gender wars.
Toxic femininity is just as problematic as toxic masculinity. They are two sides of the same coin. There is a term that represents both gender toxicity.
Gender toxicity refers to damaging behaviors, attitudes, and societal norms that contribute to discrimination, inequality, and violence based on gender. Examples include criticizing individuals’ appearance, clothing choices, or body types, promoting unrealistic beauty standards, and perpetuating sexist attitudes and actions. It involves pressuring people to conform to traditional gender roles and disparaging those who defy social expectations, whether it’s women who choose not to have children or pursue careers or men who stay at home with the kids or work in fields often associated with women, such as nursing, teaching young children, or cosmetology.
Amidst the current presidential race in the U.S., where gender roles and equality are key topics, the concept of promoting compassionate masculinity over toxic masculinity stands out as a beacon of hope.
The idea of compassionate masculinity redefines conventional notions of male dominance by advocating for empathy and respect among all genders. Governor Walz exemplifies this modern form of masculinity, showing his commitment to humanistic values in both his behavior and policy decisions. Walz’s endorsement of women in positions of leadership, specifically his support for Vice President Kamala Harris, demonstrates his recognition that empowering women does not diminish his own authority.
On the contrary, it shows that women and men can work together and strive for fairness based on their skills and expertise, rather than focusing on gender. Governor Walz also strongly supports reproductive rights and believes in offering comprehensive healthcare services for all genders. He firmly supports the idea of respecting women’s choices, whether they choose to have children or intentionally live a child-free life.
By recognizing that a person’s worth exceeds their desire or capability for parenthood, he not only shows his understanding but also shows respect for personal freedom. That Walz is open to discussing the fertility difficulties he and his wife encountered when they wanted to have children resonates with both men and women all over the country. To speak out and advocate for alternative fertility options and share his personal journey so openly is an encouraging display of openness and empathy.
In his role as a high school geography teacher, Walz advocated for LGBTQ+ rights and took on the responsibility of being the faculty advisor for the inaugural gay-straight alliance at Mankato West High School. While serving as the governor of Minnesota, he demonstrated his commitment to inclusivity by signing an executive order that safeguarded the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals to access gender-affirming healthcare. In May 2023, Minnesota’s governor, Walz, and the state legislature passed a significant law that officially established paid family, medical, and sick leave.
This legislation allows residents of Minnesota to have access to 12 weeks of partially paid leave per year for newborn or family care, along with 12 weeks of sick leave for personal health matters. He has proven his dedication to bettering the lives of families by distributing $6.2 million in new grants to promote the growth of childcare facilities across Minnesota and implementing a program that ensures all students, regardless of family income, receive free school meals.
By implementing these policies, women and men can manage their professional and personal lives and ease some financial strain. Following the tragic Parkland school shooting in 2018, Walz changed his position on assault weapons and put forth a proposal to ban high-capacity, military-style rifles. Walz, a previous member of Congress who once held an “A” rating from the NRA, generously contributed the full $18,000 he received from the organization to veteran groups.
He enacted a gun safety bill in 2023, which introduced red flag laws and mandatory background checks. Walz’s actions and policies reflect compassionate masculinity. His respect for women’s choices, advocacy for reproductive rights, support for family-friendly policies, common-sense gun reform and commitment to LGBTQ+ rights make him a beacon of the compassionate masculinity we need in today’s world and represents a new paradigm of leadership, characterized by empathy, respect, and support.
.
