Aussie state dumps ‘toxic masculinity’ label over fears of alienating young boys
The New South Wales Government has quietly stopped using the term "toxic masculinity" in official discourse, with officials warning the phrase risks alienating young men and undermining efforts to promote positive behaviour. The change was revealed at a Budget Estimates hearing on 27 August, where NSW Women's Safety Commissioner Dr Hannah Tonkin said the term wrongly implies that masculinity itself is the problem, adding that boys who feel shamed are likely to "shut down" rather than engage with messaging around healthy conduct.
Officials linked the shift to growing concern about the "manosphere", online communities often pushing anti-feminist content, which some argue exploits young men's sense of disconnection from traditional social structures. Hansard records show no NSW government MP has used the phrase since Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson did so in May 2024, with independent MP Mark Latham the only parliamentarian still using it. The issue has gained political traction ahead of next year's state election, with Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane calling in May for an end to rhetoric branding men as "toxic" and pledging a ten-year men's and boys' health strategy targeting male suicide prevention if the Coalition wins power.
In short
- NSW Government has dropped the term "toxic masculinity" from official use
- Officials fear the label alienates boys and pushes them towards the "manosphere"
- No government MP has used the phrase in Parliament since May 2024
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Dropping the phrase may help officials reach boys who hear it as a judgement on masculinity itself, rather than criticism of harmful behaviour. Supporters argue that language focused on specific actions and healthier ways to relate can encourage engagement, while reducing the risk that isolated young men turn to online communities offering a sense of belonging.
The case against
Keeping the term can help name patterns of behaviour and social expectations that harm women and constrain men, making it easier to discuss their causes rather than treating each incident in isolation. Critics may worry that abandoning it to avoid alienating boys softens scrutiny of those patterns and shifts attention from accountability to how the message is received.
Explained simply
New South Wales (NSW) is Australia’s most populous state, and its government sets policies and public messages on issues including women’s safety and men’s health. “Toxic masculinity” is a term used to describe expectations about manhood that can encourage harmful behaviour; it does not mean that all men or masculinity itself are harmful.
The debate is about how best to speak to boys and young men about behaviour and relationships. Some officials say the phrase can make them feel blamed, while concern has also grown about online “manosphere” communities that promote anti-feminist views and may appeal to men who feel disconnected.
The issue involves the NSW Government, Women’s Safety Commissioner Dr Hannah Tonkin and Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane. It matters because the language used in public campaigns can affect who feels able to engage with them, while men’s and boys’ health, including suicide prevention, is also part of the political debate.
Government Paranormal Politics Weird & Viral World