Popular culture has two competing narratives about manhood. Charlie Kirk rejected both of them and set an example young men should follow.

The dominant view is that masculinity is toxic. In 2018, the American Psychological Association issued guidelines declaring that “traditional masculinity ideology” limits “males’ psychological development.” It also has negative influences on mental and physical health, APA claimed. Masculinity ideology includes “anti-femininity, achievement, eschewal of the appearance of weakness, and adventure, risk, and violence,” according to the guidelines.

The first APA guideline states, “Psychologists strive to recognize that masculinities are constructed based on social, cultural, and contextual norms.”

The not-so-subtle implication is that men should act like

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