Strangling you in chains. Smothering you in despair. Anxiety and depression can be mighty beasts to break free from. Unfortunately, the state of traditional masculinity is reinforcing these chains. Mental health is a major threat to the well-being of men. This cage constructs barriers and borders which limit their ability to thrive in the modern world.
Traditional Masculinity refers to a set of societal expectations foregrounded through the centuries by gender roles, stereotypes and beliefs. These expectations promote aggression, competitiveness, strength, and courage. In so doing, they discourage vulnerability, emotion, inclusiveness, and weakness.
From a young age, we are taught about gender roles and expectations by our family, peers and society itself. Consequently, many young males feel that in order to ‘fit’ into society, they must conform to these expectations and roles.
Traditional masculinity is still being displayed in schools, sports teams and households. It can be as simple as a mate telling you to stop crying after being tackled in rugby or after being hit by a cricket ball. Little by little, these small comments are continuing to contribute to the presence of traditional masculinity in our society. And little by little the stigma of manhood continues to chip way out of our mates, restricting and restraining them, preventing them from thriving in our modern society.
In a society where the chains of despair and the stigma of traditional masculinity still linger, young men are trapped in a cage of isolation, hindering them from seeking help and facing mental health challenges alone, as the heart-breaking statistics on male suicide continue to remind us.
This is demonstrated by figures released by the Victorian Coroners’ Court, portraying that in the first three months of 2023, 13 young Victorian people took their own lives. Of these 13 people, 9 of them were young males. (Press, 2023)
Ultimately, the stigma of manhood, ‘to take it on the chest’ or ‘to just brush it off’, traps young men in a cage, singling them out, preventing them from seeking help or assistance and compelling them to face depression and anxiety head on alone.
This is explored by Rob Garfield in his 2023 article, published in the Guardian, it’s Time to rethink modern masculinity, “Power, privilege and prestige – the perks of traditional manhood – have distracted men from embracing vulnerability and inclusivity as strengths.” (Garfield, 2023)
By embracing vulnerability, we will no longer feel the urge to man up and ‘take it on the chest’ and will encourage emotion and inclusivity. Ultimately, this will help develop a more diverse, compassionate and inclusive society; that will allow us, as young men of the Blue and Golds, to thrive in society.
So why stand and watch our brothers, fathers and mates slowly be taunted by the stigma of traditional masculinity? Let’s embrace vulnerability, be more inclusive and start thriving in our society. Whilst the restrictions and stereotypes of manhood lurk in our modern-day society, young men of mothers, fathers and the blue and gold will continue to take their own lives. Let’s stand up against the beast together. Let’s break the stigma as one.
- By Harry Rogers, Year 9 TGS student
Latest Blog
A Space for Learning
A core pillar of the Toowoomba Grammar School Strategic Plan is to provide an inspiring and broad curriculum for all boys, adopting technology and innovative pedagogy to transform learning outcomes. Over the last couple of years, the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted teachers to explore new frontiers of pedagogy, adapting to the difficult circumstances by launching interactive software, digitising trusty, tried and true resources, recording our lessons, flipping our classrooms, and cultivating an…
When it comes to Music, Variety is the Spice of Life
In the Queensland Curriculum, the content of the music syllabus includes the study of the people, places and cultures involved in musical creation and performance. As our country becomes increasingly diverse, it is important for students in every school setting to study a wide variety of musical styles, cultures and genres. The Toowoomba Grammar School Music program of 2022 embraces this holistic approach to the study of music, encouraging teachers and students to explore a variety of musical…
A Trailblazer for Multicultural Australia
Wellington Lee has been described as a trailblazer for multicultural Australia. He was born in 1925 and attended TGS from 1940-42 before serving with the RAAF during WWII from 1943-46 and the Active Reserve of Officers from 1953-83. Mr Lee was a remarkable man of good character who lived in an exciting time of growth and change during Australia’s, and particularly Victoria’s history; the early days in Melbourne when 10% of their population was a thriving Asian community. It was also a…
REACH - Character Development in the Junior School
Being a kind person is fundamental to the growth of a successful person. Adults in our young men’s lives have a responsibility to model and teach the importance of respect, accepting and acknowledging our need to contribute to society in a positive and meaningful way. In 2016, the Junior School staff felt there was a need to create a program that allowed us to develop the character of the boys in the Junior School. Tailoring a program to meet our boys’ needs rather than a generic one allows…
The Grass is Always Greener
It’s time we put this age-old rumour to rest once and for all… The Toowoomba Grammar School ovals are not painted, dyed or manufactured grass; rather, the glorious green that greets passers-by as they drive into the Garden City comes from the sheer hard work and dedication of our TGS grounds team, led by Danny Beresford. Danny has exceptional pride for his grounds and a strong family connection to TGS. He is an Old Boy (2002-04) who played for the 1st XV in 2004 and was in the Track and Field…
A life in Words - Reading Biographies
Biography; from the Greek Bios - Life & Graphia - Writing; are books that chronicle the lives of real people. The subject of a Biography can be a celebrity, athlete, politician, athlete, historical figure or ordinary person that has achieved something of note. Reading Biographies is a valuable and oftentimes rewarding experience, with many potential benefits to the reader. Inspirational Biographies often recount successes and struggles of those people who have, over the course of their…
Spielberg in the Making...
I first became aware of film making when my brother showed me the behind-the-scenes featurette on our Lord of the Rings DVD. From then on, the process intrigued me, and I eventually got my hands on my dad’s camera and simple editing software. I made a bunch of little movies with my friends which were all pretty bad but I loved doing them anyway. What I liked most was that it was an easy way to share stories and even when the movies were not good, it was still a way of telling stories in a…
The Best Job in the World
Vocational Education and Training (V.E.T) plays a central role in preparing young people for work, developing skills, and responding to the labour-market needs of the economy. As the V.E.T Co-Ordinator at Toowoomba Grammar School, I have an immediate and positive influence on our young men’s skills, employability, and career development. I engage with the most amazing young men to guide their career journeys throughout Years 10, 11 and 12. I also have the privilege to work closely with their…
Inclusive and Exclusive Banter and Behaviour
As the School counsellor, who has been working in a variety of education systems, I would like to address a common and important issue that affects many of our teenage boys: banter, teasing, and bullying. Boys at this age are especially prone to these behaviours, and they can have a significant impact on their mental health and overall well-being. One of the most common mistakes for teenage boys "it's just banter" or "I'm just joking." While banter can be a positive thing and can help build…
