Disability, Masculinity, and the Misuse of the "Toxic" Label By Dusty Wentworth — Military Veteran, Writer, Commentator
In the aftermath of war, injury, and illness, survival doesn't end on the battlefield. For men like me—veterans who returned home with invisible wounds such as PTSD, and who later developed chronic conditions like fibromyalgia and functional neurological disorder—the battle continues daily. It continues in the body, in the mind, and in the social expectations placed upon us. And increasingly, it continues in a cultural climate that frames masculinity not as complex, but as dangerous. Masculinity as Survival, Not Threat The term “toxic masculinity” has gained mainstream traction over the last decade, largely due to social campaigns highlighting domestic violence, workplace harassment, and male mental health. While these conversations are necessary, they often fail to draw distinctions between maladaptive behaviour and survival traits. Traits such as stoicism, assertiveness, and risk-taking—which are often labelled as “toxic”—are also the very traits that many men, partic...