STEVE

So, what's the impact of masculinity or toxic masculinity on relationships?

This can manifest itself in many ways.

There can be a communication breakdown where effective communication, which is a cornerstone of any relationship or any healthy relationship, is you know, the understanding, the communication is misunderstood.

Issues are left unresolved, and there tends to be a growing frustration within the relationship.

There's a challenge to intimacy, um where because of this toxic masculine presence, that it hinders the emotional side of intimacy where men are just going through emotions as something which we do, we're actually actually not having an intimate connection with our partners, um and leaves us feeling you know, in a sense of isolation and dissatisfaction for our partners.

There's a level of control and dominance which could uh manifest itself, where as men we are conditioned to believe that we must be in control and assert our dominance in various ways, um making unilateral decisions which belittles our partners, and we can engage in emotional manipulative behavior, which creates a power dynamic which is unhealthy and not good for an equal partnership.

We avoid vulnerability, which is crucial for building an intimate relationship, where we hesitate to share our fears, our insecurities, our past traumas, and we keep them hidden and we avoid them, which creates a superficial connection between us and not only our partners but friends and other relationships.

So it's instead of being a deep, meaningful, authentic relationship, it is fake.

Um and uh the impacts of this being a toxic male brings a level of aggression and violence with that.

Um, and men can believe that we need to assert our dominance through violence, um, and you know, you you're not listening to me, darling, so a quick backhand across the face will assert my dominance, but you will pay attention to me.

Um and these are certain things which can and do appear within relationships where there are toxic males.