Taylor's Feed

Common Ground, Universality, Harmony--whatever you want to call it--they are all words used to describe the same thing. I am choosing to use the word, Balance, in hopes that there's a smaller chance that someone will take offense to what is about to be said. Now, WITH that being said: There must be a balance between the way in which children should be raised, and the ways that they actually are. A common ground. When suggestions are made by qualified professionals in their specified fields regarding mental health and the well-being of children, their advice should at least be considered if not heeded. There needs to be an understanding that no one is attempting to take away any parent's right to raise their own children the way that they see fit--within reason, of course--but the long-term effect that certain parents teaching methods will have on the child and possibly the communal environment as a whole, needs to be heavily taken into account. Children should not be subj...

Before explaining my position on the topic referenced above, allow for me to properly define "Toxic Masculinity" for you all, as there are frequently misconceptions about it. Firstly, "Masculinity" on its own is simply defined as,  “ Qualities or attributes regarded as characteristic of men; habits and traits that society considers to be appropriate for a man”--a troubling definition in and of itself--but nonetheless, that is the meaning of the word. These could include physical attributes such as: being “handsome, muscled, and driven” At no point does it say that it is in men’s nature to be aggressive, forceful, or belligerent. Toxic masculinity came about as these negative attributes were embedded into the culture of men. It has been used to oppress women, to shame and derive young boys of their natural, harmless emotions, and has protected countless of abusers from facing justice whilst humiliating the victim in the process. Taking this overarching, problem...

Hello everyone! I'm Taylor Johnson, a junior creative writer and I have created this blog to expand on the ideas and information that I have already touched upon in my Ted Talk regarding Toxic Masculinity.  This blog will be focusing on what Toxic Masculinity actually is and where it can be found, as well as suggesting ways in which it can be combated. I plan on highlighting celebrity figures that have grown up in an environment where the qualities that contribute to the toxicity is all that they've known, but have found ways to understand the errors that they've been committing and changing for the better. I also hope to shed light on a few internal biases that common people have grown up with--along with mentalities--that could ultimately lead to this dilemma if not corrected.  I chose to focus my blog on this topic, because I was not completely satisfied with the level of research that I had done with my Ted Talk: I wished to go into depth about the experiences shar...

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