Experts Debate Masculinity Crisis at UBC Okanagan Forum

A significant debate about masculinity unfolded at the UBC Okanagan Debates: Masculinity in Crisis, where experts discussed whether modern masculinity is collapsing or evolving amid shifting gender roles, online pressures, and mental health challenges. Some argued there is a crisis, citing worsening men's health outcomes linked to traditional masculine norms that discourage seeking help, while others contended the issue is more about individual behavior than a crisis of masculinity itself. The debate highlighted psychological and cultural stressors such as status anxiety exacerbated by social media, which constantly subjects young men to global status comparisons. In contrast, the rise of "soft masculinity" in East and Southeast Asia, especially through K-pop and J-pop, presents a gentler, more aesthetic and emotionally expressive male archetype, which clashes with traditional rugged masculinity and elicits mixed reactions within those cultures. Meanwhile, a controversial U.S. project proposes erecting a massive statue symbolizing bold, transgressive masculinity, but it is tainted by fascistic rhetoric and connections to alt-right ideologies, reflecting a politicized and divisive vision of masculinity. These diverse perspectives illustrate the complex and contested nature of masculinity today, influenced by cultural, social, and political forces.