Highlander wrote:
I understand that the American Psychological Association (APA) published new guidelines for treating boys and men. An accompanying APA article said that “traditional masculinity — marked by stoicism, competitiveness, dominance and aggression — is, on the whole, harmful.”
So, being male is a mental illness. Cause it's toxic and all.
Highlander, you have unjustifiably twisted and completely distorted what the APA has said. It appears that you would rather live in ignorance than understand. But ignorance causes men to die.
I'm sure that if anyone twisted and misrepresented Catholic Church guidelines you'd be quick to complain, but you're okay with twisting and misrepresenting very important APA guidelines.
The APA did NOT say anything like "being male is a mental illness Cause it's toxic".
They said what you have quoted that "traditional masculinity — marked by stoicism, competitiveness, dominance and aggression — is, on the whole, harmful.” That is NOT the same as saying that "being male is a mental illness" or that being male is harmful.
Being a man does not mean you should be so stoical that you avoid going to a doctor for medical treatment until it's too late.
Being a man does not mean you should be so "traditionally masculine" that you think you're too tough to be concerned about drinking too much, smoking too much, eating too much meat, too much junk food, and not enough fruit and vegetables.
Being a man does not mean that you should refuse to admit if you have a mental health problem and refuse to talk about it or seek help for fear of being seen as "weak".
Being a man does not mean that you should have little respect for women. Being a man does not mean that you see women as objects for your pleasure rather than the reality of who we really are.
Being a man does not mean you should disrespect homosexual men. Being a man does not mean you don't treat homosexuals with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.
And so on.
Being a man does not mean you need to conform to the stereotype of "traditional masculinity" with all it's harmful aspects.