logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2023
14m 9s

Is there a right way to be masculine?

Bbc World Service
About this episode

There’s so much stuff online about masculinity; guys telling you how to get buff, what to eat and how to talk to women. Sometimes a particular type of masculinity, known as toxic masculinity, seems dominant on some platforms. That’s where traits like being tough and not showing emotion are emphasised. With more awareness of this kind of content, young men are being warned off it. They’re increasingly told what not to do and who they shouldn’t be listening to. But that’s not much of a guide.

In this episode the BBC’s Andrew Ochieng and Kai Kim describe their experiences of growing up in Kenya and South Korea and how masculinity is portrayed there.

Nigerian commentator and life coach Solomon Buchi gives his view on what 'healthy masculinity' looks like. And we tell you about two different schemes in Guatemala (SerNiño) and India (Coaching Boys Into Men), working with boys and men to help them challenge harmful masculinity.

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Alex Rhodes, Mora Morrison and Julia Ross-Roy Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Up next
Aug 22
ID please! Why the UK is checking your age online
In the UK, if you want to watch pornography or see content on sites like X, Reddit and Discord that is deemed only suitable for people over 18 years old, you now need to provide your identification to prove you are old enough to access this material. The UK government says its On ... Show More
11m 33s
Aug 21
Why fake weddings are India’s latest party trend
The big fat 'fake' Indian wedding is social media’s latest party trend. Fake wedding parties have taken the world and social media by storm with people getting together to enjoy all the fun of a wedding party: the food, Bollywood music, dancing and glamorous outfits. But there ar ... Show More
10m 5s
Aug 20
Why the world is divided on plastic pollution
Life is full of plastic, but it’s not always fantastic. We know that plastic is super useful: it helps keep food fresh and lets medicines, like vaccines, be delivered at scale to billions of people. But the world is drowning in it. In fact, the amount of plastic on our planet now ... Show More
11 m
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2023
What we all need to know about men with Sean Hotchkiss
Sean Hotchkiss, GQ writer turned men’s life coach tells us about chasing money, status, sex and all the external stuff in the hopes to find fulfillment, and when life took a tragic turn how he completely pivoted what it meant for him to “have it all” as a man. Sean shares why bei ... Show More
1h 2m
Dec 2022
50. understanding masculinity w/ Adil Hussain
Hi everyone! In today's episode I chat with Adil Hussain, a masculinity and wellbeing coach who helps men become better men. In this episode we chat: -What brought Adil into the world of masculinity coaching -Understanding what masculinity is and how to recognize a man in his mas ... Show More
1h 2m
Feb 2022
Undefining Masculinity: How to Break Free from Gender Stereotypes - Justin Baldoni
Society has a very warped view of what it means to be ‘masculine’. It’s a toxic stereotype that leaves so many boys and men disconnected from their emotions and unable to be vulnerable. “You throw like a girl”, “Big boys don’t cry”, “You should man up”. These messages reinforce t ... Show More
12m 30s
Feb 2024
434. ¿Qué significa "ser hombre" hoy y qué podemos aprender? | Alejandro Speitzer
¿Los hombres no lloran? ¿Por qué les cuesta tanto trabajo a algunos hombres expresar lo que sienten? En el episodio de hoy, en vivo desde el Lunario del Auditorio Nacional en CDMX, invitamos al actor mexicano Alejandro Speitzer, para hablar  sobre las ideas y estereotipos con los ... Show More
1h 13m
Dec 2023
417. Lo que se espera de mí | Jaime Camil
“Los hombres no lloran”, “El hombre es siempre el que tiene que proveer para la familia”, pero ¿qué significa realmente “ser un hombre”? En el episodio de hoy hablamos con Jaime Camil, actor mexicano con una trayectoria de más de 20 años. Nos contó un poco sobre cómo vivió su niñ ... Show More
39m 31s
Oct 2022
Timothée Chalamet, Tom Holland, Harry Styles: qui pour nous délivrer de la masculinité toxique?
«Comment Timothée Chalamet m'a fait croire à l'homme nouveau»: c'est le sous-titre du nouveau livre d'Aline Laurent-Mayard. Son essai Libérés de la masculinité s'intéresse à la façon dont Chalamet et quelques autres (Tom Holland, Harry Styles…) contribuent à faire bouger les lign ... Show More
16m 35s
Oct 2022
300. Nuevas masculinidades: ¿Qué significa ser hombre? | Ricardo Rivera
Invitamos a Ricardo Rivera, especialista en acompañamiento de la salud mental masculina para entender mejor qué pasa alrededor de la masculinidad hoy en día. ¿Qué es la masculinidad restrictiva, también conocida como masculinidad tóxica?¿Qué mensajes han recibido los hombres desd ... Show More
55m 56s
Apr 2020
How to be a good man
Two women from South Africa and Australia discuss ‘toxic masculinity’ with Kim Chakanetsa. How can we raise boys to be in touch with their emotions and to become men who respect women? Clementine Ford is an Australian feminist whose books Fight Like A Girl and Boys Will Be Boys c ... Show More
27m 12s
May 2023
Checks and Balance: Man problems
There have long been worries about manhood in the United States. Today, nearly half of men believe traditional masculinity is under threat. While the left talk about toxic masculinity, some politicians on the right fear men’s very “deconstruction”. Researchers point to data showi ... Show More
44m 48s
Apr 2023
Redefining Masculinity & Embracing Vulnerability | Beyond the Scenes
From a young age, boys are inundated with messages that teach them not to cry, openly express emotions, or show any sign of weakness for fear of appearing weak or feminine. And as a result, men experience a lack of intimacy and close friendships. Host Roy Wood Jr. sits down with ... Show More
56m 47s