Person Asks Folks Online To Share Examples Of Positive Masculinity After Hearing Too Many “Toxic” Ones, And 26 Folks Deliver

I fell asleep on the sofa after a really hard day, but I was sort of dozing, not fully asleep. My 16 year old son came into the room, saw me sleeping, and started tiptoeing around, shut the blinds, turned the lights off and covered me in a blanket because he was going to use the backyard gym which required a window to be open for an extension lead and he didn't want me to get cold. It was just so thoughtful and did surprise me a bit because he normally has tunnel vision.

He's also really stepped up the last few weeks, I've been on sick leave, I'm a nurse and got attacked by a patient so have my hand in a soft cast for ligament damage. He's cooked pretty much every evening. He has also been meal planning for the week. I am married, but it's turned into a bit of 'us time' and he's really enjoying learning to cook.

I'm so proud of him and told him this the other day and we had a huge hug. I love him so much.

My husband switching seats on an airline with a teenage girl being harassed by an old creep. Hes very large, bearded, and wears metal t-shirts. He plopped down next to creeper and said "you said you were buying drinks?"

Freaking Terry Crews! In a world where men are shamed for talking about sexual assault against them, Terry Crews openly does it! And he’s seen as the “big dude manly man”. He’s trying to set an example for other male victims out there.

In high school one time, a guy gave his guy best friend a birthday gift, and guy 2 loved it so much he gave guy 1 the biggest hug in the middle of class. I think everyone’s hearts melted. All guys should be that confident / allowed to be that confident.

The pastor at my church brings a group to the pride parade to support "all of god's children." He started asking me come with them to give out "dad hugs" to the younger folks who have been abandoned by their families because they are gay. He said I'm the most dad like person he's met, huge, bald, beard, glasses, pot belly, flannel shirt, etc. Most of the people I gave hugs to did it as a lark, but there were a few who really needed to get a big bear hug and be told that they're ok, and I'm proud of them.

anonymous said:
A father teaching his sons to love and respect their mother even though they’re in the middle of a nasty divorce.

More-Masterpiece-561 replied:
Years ago I saw this post on FB that a father was helping out his sons to cook his ex wife's favorite dish and bake a cake for her birthday. I was a preteen at the time, I thought that's the kind of man I wanna be when I grow up.

bluep3001 said:
President Zelenskyy…

Heavy_Mycologist_104 replied:
Abso-[friggin]-lutely, THIS. Zelenskiy is a true hero, forced in impossible situations to step up and show incredible bravery and humanity.

Not sure if this counts… but my step dad would still come pick up my sister and I every single weekend even though we weren’t really his kids. Growing up my mom and him would break up sometimes and he said to us one day; I may not be y’all’s biological father but I will always be y’all’s dad regardless. They eventually married and are 30+ years strong today. He’s the best man I know.

willowgardener said:
I once watched a couple episodes of the reality show Forged in Fire, which I felt had tons of examples of healthy masculinity.

mbensasi replied:
Yep, I remember seeing an episode where a big, older, more experienced guy saw his opponent struggling to twist some metal because he wasn’t heavy enough to apply the necessary force. Big guy stopped his own work just to help little guy. Ended up being eliminated because he didn’t have time to finish his own blade. Wasn’t upset or anything, just congratulated the little guy and walked out. With $10,000 on the line, it takes true integrity and positive masculinity to do something like that for a fellow craftsman.

My brother would sing quietly to our mother in the nursing home when she no longer knew him because of dementia. He would brush her hair and wipe her face with a warm flannel to comfort her. It was beautiful

marcus_borealis said:
Manly dads who patiently sit on the floor and have a tea party with their toddler daughters.

Bells87 replied:
When I was about 11, I got the game Dreamphone for Christmas. For those who don't know, the premise of Dreamphone is to "call" "boys" to find out which one has a crush on you. Perfect game for preteen girls. I was so excited and asked my mom to play with me, since it's Christmas and my friends can't come over. She said no. But my dad said he'd play with me.

My dad was a burley truck driver who loved Philadelphia sports, had a woodworking bench in the basement, and was definitely a meat and potatoes kind of guy. He also had 9 sisters, the majority of which were younger than him.

He was more than happy to play with me.

He'd also play Pretty, Pretty Princess with me when I was a kid too.

So, a couple months into dating my boyfriend he bought a truck. Well, it started making a grinding noise a few weeks later. Some context, I'm a female mechanic. So, when I went over that weekend I offered to take a look at it.

We did some grocery shopping for supper. And then when we got back I started to work on it. He made supper. And then when he was done he came out and sat with me.

My ex wouldn't even let me work on his truck with him because he didn't like that I knew more about it then him. And when I first met my Bf he told everyone we met that I was a mechanic.

DEFINITELY_NOT_PETE said:
Gym bros randomly appearing to spot or encourage is hilarious and positive.

StinkyStangler replied:
I remember when I was a little younger, like 19 or so, I had just started going to the gym frequently and was trying to start deadlifts. I obviously had no idea what I was doing and felt mad self conscious, but some random huge dude came up to me, gave me help with my form and technique, and then just wandered off. That always stood out to me and really helped me get more comfortable in the gym.

My bros and friends are all hood but we've got into the habit of saying "love you" whenever we leave. We've lost so many friends and family the last few years (not due to covid).

My husband and his best friend calling each other up to talk about their mental health struggles and support each other through tough times.

bobot_ said:
My husband is my biggest supporter when it comes to my career. He's like my hype man when I'm doubting myself. I value it so much. (Side note: I earn more and if anything, it just makes him prouder).

saint_of_thieves replied:
Guy here. When I got married, my dad gave me a piece of advice. He said to help each other achieve the other person's dreams. If you don't, you're just two people living in the same house.

Physical-Primary-256 said:
A single dad started teaching other dads how to do their daughters hair.

StinkApprentice replied:
A local girl scout troop did their Silver Award project called "Daddy Doo's" and taught fathers how to do their younger daughters hair. And had gift packs for the girls. It ran the gammut of giant meatheads, tiny skinny guys, and everyone in between. They ended up adding two more sessions because it became so popular.

anonymous said:
A guy standing up for his friend or a woman he doesn't know against a bully/creeper.

kyledouglas521 replied:
There's a related one here that I think needs to be heard more: standing up *TO* your guy friends when they're being creepers. Or just being [bad] to/about women.

As someone close to them, you have the biggest chance to make an impact on their behavior. Letting misogynist [things] go or laughing it off because that's just how guys are is implicit confirmation to them that this thing they said/did is okay.

ral365 said:
A father being a good example for his son.

magnusbearson replied:
Growing up poor, having a father who dedicated his time for me and my brothers meant the world. Has given me emotional tools I observe lacking in many of my friends. So I sometimes take that role with them, having the hard talks and explaining in depth the nuances of life.

anonymous said:
A father not shaming their sons for crying.

zoidberg005 replied:
When I see a man who is able to cry, I see a powerful strong person who knows how to deal with their emotions in a healthy way. This is what I want for my son. This is something I do not have myself.