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Toxic men also tend to see themselves as superior to others. They might, for instance, be dismissive and extremely judgmental of women. ‘Dusty sons’ may look down on women and expect that only they should do supposedly ‘feminine’ activities like cooking and cleaning.
That’s why it’s so important that boys develop the skills to do these basic tasks from an early age. They’re useful no matter what gender someone is. Everyone should be as self-sufficient as possible. Someone who embraces chores from an early age is less likely to think that they shouldn’t have to help out at home.
Toxic men wreck not just their social circles—they also harm themselves. Someone who’s raised not to show vulnerability won’t ask for help when they genuinely need it. So a guy who struggles with mental health issues or problems at home may be reluctant to reach out to a therapist. Not only that but ‘tough’ guys may also avoid going to the doctor when they need to. This only makes matters worse.
The best parents tend to embrace an authoritative style of raising their kids. They find a balance between setting—and enforcing—firm boundaries, as well as valuing good communication, openness and giving their children the support that they need. That way, their kids grow up to be very self-reliant, confident, curious, as well as open to discussions and cooperation.
