Evangeline Lilly, star of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Ant-Man and The Wasp, recently spoke out against the negative attitude towards traditional gender roles and advocated for the celebration of “manly men.”
In an interview with The Independent, Lilly stated that she believes “we need to have two genders to be healthy,” and that “the pendulum has swung too far” in favor of rejecting traditional gender roles. She argued that men should be celebrated for exhibiting traits like strength, courage, and leadership, and that it is wrong to denigrate those qualities as “toxic masculinity.”
Lilly’s comments were met with mixed reactions, with some praising her for standing up against what they see as a growing trend of demonizing traditional masculinity, while others criticized her for promoting gender stereotypes and ignoring the harm caused by toxic masculinity.
It’s important to note that while Lilly’s comments may have been well-intentioned, they also reflect a limited understanding of gender and its complexities. Gender is not a binary, nor is it defined solely by biological sex. There is a wide range of gender identities and expressions, and it’s important to recognize and respect that diversity.
Furthermore, the concept of “manliness” is often used to justify harmful behavior, such as aggression, dominance, and objectification of women. It’s not about celebrating “manliness” or rejecting traditional gender roles altogether. Rather, it’s about promoting healthy and positive expressions of masculinity that prioritize respect, empathy, and equality.
Ultimately, the conversation around gender roles and masculinity is a complex one that requires nuance and empathy. While it’s important to celebrate positive qualities like strength and leadership, it’s also crucial to recognize the harm caused by toxic masculinity and work towards promoting healthier expressions of gender. We should strive to create a world where everyone is free to express their gender identity in a way that feels authentic and true to themselves, without fear of judgment or discrimination.