How Indian Culture Fuels Masculinity Myths

It Takes a Village to Build Toxic Masculinity

Hey there! Let’s have an honest conversation about patriarchy. While it’s easy to pin the blame solely on men, the truth is that toxic masculinity is a team effort—built, nurtured, and sustained by families, media, and, yes, even women. Think of it as a group project where everyone contributes, but somehow, men end up with all the "credit" (or blame). From praising boys for being "strong" like they’re auditioning for a superhero role to discouraging girls from asserting themselves because "ladkiyon ko itna bold nahi hona chahiye," every subtle act feeds the beast of patriarchy.

Here’s a question to start with: How do everyday actions contribute to the toxic gender norms we see today?

Family Dynamics: The First School of Patriarchy

How often have you heard phrases like, “Boys don’t cry” or “Girls shouldn’t argue”? These aren’t merely innocent expressions; they’re unofficial family mottos passed down like heirlooms. Indian families often view sons as heirs to invisible thrones and daughters as emotional support staff. It’s as though boys are given capes to soar while girls are handed aprons to cook. Even birthday gifts reflect gender roles—remote-controlled cars for boys and cooking sets for girls.

Pause and reflect: What small changes can families make to challenge these age-old gender norms? Maybe start with giving your daughter the remote (literally and figuratively) and teaching your son how to handle both a cricket bat and his emotions.

Bollywood’s Influence: Heroes, Villains, and Toxic Tropes

Bollywood loves its "angry young man" archetype—macho, aggressive, emotionally unavailable, and always brooding like he misplaced his sunglasses. These heroes dominate screens and, in turn, young minds. On the flip side, female characters often endorse this behaviour, romanticising toxic traits like possessiveness as “true love.” Stalking is the new serenading.

Consider it: How would cinema look if we celebrated emotionally aware male protagonists instead? Imagine a blockbuster where the hero solves problems with… wait for it… healthy communication! Box office gold, right?

The Role of Women: Enablers or Agents of Change?

Here’s the tricky part: Women aren’t just victims of patriarchy; they sometimes perpetuate it as well. Mothers may favour sons over daughters, referring to them as "ghar ka chirag," while daughters are expected to be "paraya dhan." Grandmothers with PhDs in guilt-tripping might proudly proclaim, "Mard ko dard nahi hota," as if emotions are gender-specific. Even girlfriends may expect their partners to "man up" during difficult times because tears are considered unfitting for a macho man image.

Pause to ponder: How can women challenge patriarchy without unintentionally reinforcing it? Maybe start by teaching that both boys and girls can cry—preferably into tissues, not toxic stereotypes.

Redefining Tradition: It’s Time for a Cultural Reset

Traditions often glorify male dominance, such as the dowry system, the "log kya kahenge" syndrome, or the expectation that women should "adjust" as if they were human Wi-Fi settings. While it is important to respect culture, it is equally crucial to question practices that harm gender equality.

Here’s a thought: How can we honour traditions while redefining them for a more equitable future? 

Imagine a Shaadi where both the bride and groom’s parents split the rituals—and the expenses. Revolutionary, right?

Patriarchy Isn’t Inevitable—It’s a Choice

Breaking free from toxic masculinity and patriarchy requires effort from everyone—men, women, and society at large. The first step is to recognise how we all contribute to sustaining it. The second is to commit to change. Think of it like uninstalling an old, buggy app and replacing it with an updated, inclusive version.

"Equality isn’t about erasing differences; it’s about respecting them."

Let’s talk about breaking barriers.

Call us at 044-33125000 or connect online. Together, we can build a more inclusive world—one stereotype at a time.

With warmth and support,

YRG Communications Team