Can ‘toxic masculinity’ be measured? Scientists try to quantify controversial term

Researchers have delved into similar concepts, including hegemonic or patriarchal masculinity, which examines how a dominant, culturally idealized view of manhood upholds the patriarchy. But the term toxic masculinity hasn’t had as much academic attention. “Nobody measures it,” says psychology researcher Steven Sanders at Oregon State University in Corvallis. Some psychologists are now trying to pick apart and quantify its aspects.