[wwweston]

> Toxic people are toxic.

Yes, and generally when the term "toxic people" is used, few assume that the speaker is saying that "people are toxic" and "people should be shamed for being people."

And yet... you've done pretty much that with the term "toxic masculinity." It's almost as if someone has persuaded you that adjectives are actually appositives.

The phrase "toxic masculinity" no more implies that masculinity itself should be discouraged or shamed than the phrase "toxic food" implies the entire world should fast forever.

And like "toxic food" would suggest there's some subset of foodstuffs one should avoid, it does suggest that there's some subset of masculine-identified behavior that are unhealthy for either those acting those behaviors out, or those on the receiving end of them.

[FooBarBizBazz]

"I'm not complaining about the Mexicans, I'm complaining about the LAZY Mexicans, can't you do logic?"

Nobody's fooled.

[UncleMeat]

Ok. What phrase would you use? Presumably you do agree that there are elements of masculinity that are harmful, both to men and women. How should we describe these in a way that is impossible to misinterpret?

[grammarnazzzi]

The difference is that "toxic food" directly implies food that is poisonous.

"Toxic masulinity" has no obvious or direct meaning. It's a made up term. It's marketing. It itself conveys no useful meaning other than to associate masculitity with toxicicity.

To tie such a negative term to any other social/gender group would be called out as the biggotry it is.