Three Dimensions of Care and Their Relationships With Caring, Inclusive, and Toxic Masculinity

Abstract

Are men becoming more caring? Is masculinity evolving to align with the ethics and principles of care? Drawing on literature on care work, the ethics of care, and the four principles of bioethics, we identify three dimensions of care: as work, as ethical frameworks emphasizing empathy and compassion, and as moral principles such as non-maleficence (i.e., do no harm). We then examine how these dimensions intersect with shifts in masculinity and men's roles in caregiving. While earlier scholarship often depicted care as central to femininity and incompatible with masculinity, recent research on new fatherhood, caring masculinity, and inclusive masculinity suggests that some men are adopting more relational and empathetic identities. Simultaneously, the global rise of toxic masculinity represents a clear rejection of care. This article presents a nuanced view of the evolving relationship between masculinity and care and argues for multifaceted, contextual, and intersectional analysis.