Viral father and son picture sparks debate on ‘toxic masculinity’

eric-owens

Eric Owens didn’t realize he was going to spark a debate about masculinity when he posted a series of pictures with himself and his son.

The images of Owens with his young son under his arm are undeniably adorable, but where several people are upset is the image where his grown-up son is still tucked in under his arm. It seems many people don’t like the idea of the two men being that physically close to each other.

Several social media users reacted to the original post on Facebook saying that it was the “weirdest sh** ever” and that it was unacceptable for fathers and sons to be that physically close, though one user said that it was completely fine for mothers and daughters or aunts and nieces to cuddle.

Apparently, the ban on cuddling only applies to men, and comments like these have sparked a debate on the “toxic masculinity” culture that frowns on men who express emotion or physical affection. The culture is steeped not only in gender roles but also in a fear of being seen as homosexual.

“The social taboo against cuddling has been because for two men to get close was traditionally seen as ‘gay.’ Men wanted to avoid being the target of homophobic abuse, so they would be macho to distance themselves from any perception of homosexuality,” sociologist Mark McCormack told the Huffington Post in February.

“But there is a generational effect here: Older men who grew up in the 1980s may still feel the need to present a very straight version of themselves, but more positive attitudes toward homosexuality in contemporary culture mean that younger men are simply less concerned about how other people view their behaviors.”

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Comment by Big Shot... on September 26, 2016 at 1:13am: Daam, if hes not there people talk sh*t, even if its out of his control, and when hes there, people start b******* making more of it then what it is. A black man just cant win if its left up to these damaged psychos out here.. How about paying more attention to all these pedophiles the average give passes to in these so-called alternative lifestyles. They move like predators to recruit as a way of life yet no one says anything, in fact they act like its normal. But normal shouldnt take much work to ignore or embrace.. When are people gonna snap out of it?

Comment by flores460 on September 19, 2016 at 9:49am: I agree. Father and son relationships are very important. Especially our black families! I wish black people would stop falling prey to bs.

Comment by Andrew Walker on September 18, 2016 at 8:50am: It is father and son. To he'll with the rest. When they document pictures of pedophilia in some historical pictures it is all good. Wow what a double standard.

Comment by Mr. Man on September 18, 2016 at 6:33am: If more Fathers would be in their sons live and be this close they wouldn't be loosing them to gangs and guns and may have save them from police killings

Comment by JUNGLIS on September 17, 2016 at 9:44pm: THIS IS ONE OF THOSE REMAKE OF AN ORIGINAL PICTURE TO SHOW, "BEFORE AND AFTER" OR "THEN AND NOW". ANYONE WHO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS NEEDS TO GO AND "CHUCK OFF" INTO A BARE,EMPTY POOL. FOH

Comment by Donique Whonder on September 17, 2016 at 3:36pm: What they really want to say is as black people we are not accustomed to seeing a father love his son therefore it is foreign behavior that is not allowed and blacks dont deserve to love each other like this. Smh

Comment by Melly Mel on September 14, 2016 at 6:11pm: Some people are so stupid!! And don't have a life!! at least the son has a father to cuddle with!! Your child is always going to be your baby no matter what the sex!! If the Europeans did it it would be ok!

Comment by lynz on September 13, 2016 at 12:53pm: Only people with sick reprobate minds will look at these pics and see something other than love.

Comment by Jerome S [ Barz ] on September 12, 2016 at 7:39pm: Those "several Social media users " that feels in any way that it's gay for men to be affectionate (not to be confused with lusting) are screwed themselves. Just another attempt to divide the family structure. They might have ulterior motives with that nonsense.

Comment by cassandra archie on September 12, 2016 at 6:19pm: I've seen on FB where families are recreating pass photos from babies to adult age. I love it...It is beyond ridiculous how some ppl nut as brain works.