Tim Walz, the Kelce Brothers and a New Era of ‘Positive Masculinity’

So far, 2024 has brought us brat summer—and for the sake of every confused millennial out there, let’s hope it’s over. There appears to be a new season on the horizon, because with men like Tim Walz and Travis Kelce coming to the fore, we could be in store for a new era of positive masculinity.

Many know the term “toxic masculinity” and think of the overly dominant, often aggressive personality that shapes the discourse about this behavior. But now, it seems as though we’re headed toward a softer kind of masculinity, with politicians talking about fertility, football players dancing to Taylor Swift and a renowned Paralympic athlete cheering on his wife as she won Olympic gold.

While the concept of positive masculinity is getting renewed focus, the term is thought to have been co-created in the early 2000s by Matt Englar-Carlson, founder and director of the Center for Boys and Men at California State University, Fullerton. He told Newsweek that the idea “creates space to realize that there’s multiple ways to be a man.”

Toxic masculinity tells boys and men to behave in a certain way and conform to certain stereotypes. But Englar-Carlson says positive masculinity is about liberating them from “that straitjacket” and allowing them to express themselves however they want.

This has certainly got social media users talking, and many on Threads have praised Walz. One person wrote that Walz is the “definition of what healthy masculinity looks like.”

Another said that, between the Kelce brothers and Walz, we’re “entering an era of positive masculinity.”

How Does Walz Display Positive Masculinity?

As a white, heterosexual male who served in the military, taught in high school, was a football coach and spends his spare time hunting, Walz might not seem like the epitome of positive masculinity. But he isn’t solely defined by these characteristics because he’s also a family man, an advocate for women’s rights and a champion of women in power.

Englar-Carlson, a professor and department chair at California State University, Fullerton’s Department of Counseling, said that Walz “check marks” a lot of the hallmarks that people think are representative of masculinity. And yet he also speaks to a more enlightened “archetype of men.”

In January 2023, as the governor of Minnesota, Walz signed an abortion rights bill into law at a time when other state politicians were trying to restrict such rights, which are often framed as a women’s issue.

Masculinity is typically perceived as being stoic and tight-lipped about personal matters, but Walz has spoken openly about his family’s experience using in vitro fertilization to conceive his daughter, Hope. Whether he’s discussing policy or family life, he’s not afraid to delve into intimate topics.

“Walz fits this archetype of a compassionate coach, an empathic leader, both in the military or political, and he doesn’t lead through domination. Clearly, he’s a powerful person, but he’s also a coalition builder,” Englar-Carlson said.

“He’s breaking that barrier down because fertility is a human issue, and there are a lot of men who experience incredible loss due to miscarriage. Walz has been vocal about his own personal experiences, and he reaches a lot of people and men specifically who feel like part of their life has been silenced.”

Newsweek has contacted Walz’s office via email for comment.

This contrasts somewhat with the Republican VP nominee, Senator JD Vance, who has been criticized in recent weeks after a 2021 interview on Fox News resurfaced. At one point, he said, “We are run in this country…by a bunch of childless cat ladies.”

After a rise in problematic attitudes about what it means to be a man, it’s good to see men like Walz being “freer to express who they are,” said John Barry, a psychologist and co-founder of the U.K.’s Centre for Male Psychology.

Hollywood Male Role Models

While many have hailed Walz’s refreshing approach, he isn’t the only example of positive masculinity. Take Travis Kelce. As a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, there’s no doubt he’s physically powerful and “embodies the traditional male protector role,” Barry told Newsweek.

He’s also not reluctant to show a softer side by appearing at girlfriend Taylor Swift’s concerts, dancing to every song and wearing friendship bracelets. He even appeared onstage with her in London, where he gladly took on the role of backing dancer while she ran the show.

And who could forget the emotional speech his brother Jason gave when he retired from football in March. Having terrified his opponents on the field for 13 years, Kelce said goodbye to the sport through tears, barely able to find the words. When he did speak, he showed huge gratitude toward his wife, Kylie, saying he couldn’t have done any of it without her help.

As the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, Doug Emhoff is the second gentleman of the U.S. But is he intimidated by her power and stature? Not at all. He champions her and is supporting her efforts to go further politically.

If Harris wins November’s election, the first lady will be replaced by a man, with Emhoff as the first gentleman. That would truly mark a major change.

Englar-Carlon said: “Toxic masculinity is focused on centering power in men and the domination over others, but these are men who are aware of how the world has changed.”

He went on: “The greatest change in society over the past 50 years has been the rise of economic power in women. It’s a significant shift, and there’s a world out there that’s very different, but there’s a lack of flexibility from a lot of men. These examples are people who adapted to the relationships they’re in.”

Positive masculinity comes in many forms, and there are plenty of other examples.

Ryan Reynolds isn’t intimated by wife Blake Lively’s success. He’s happy to take a back step and let her shine, while praising her for being open about her postpartum body.

Former NFL player turned actor Terry Crews has been vocal about his mental health as a survivor of sexual assault.

Paralympian Hunter Woodhall put his success to one side as he cheered on his wife, Tara Davis-Woodhall, when she won a gold medal at the Olympics, all while sporting a “Team Tara” shirt.

What these men have in common is that they aren’t scared of strong or successful females, and they don’t shy away from their vulnerabilities. A staple of positive masculinity is being able to share power, which is for the best. As Englar-Carlson joked, if any of these men tried to overpower their partners, “it’s probably not going to end well.”

Why Is Positive Masculinity Important?

Being a supportive husband, father, partner or friend might seem obvious, but Barry said that “a very negative stereotype” of masculinity has emerged. Not only has this led to a rise in misogynistic and violent behavior but it can also have a negative impact on mental well-being.

“Toxic masculinity has been taken out of its original context and applied to a range of destructive behaviors,” Barry continued. “But the negative stereotype doesn’t identify the actual causes of the behavior.

“Positive masculinity is about recognizing strengths, and the meaning is sometimes used to refer to examples of men showing more traditionally feminine traits, such as talking about feelings,” he said.

Fame and celebrity status are not prerequisites to being a good role model, and everyone will have their own examples. But the importance of these men, who are successful in their own right, letting women take center stage cannot be understated.

As Englar-Carlson said, it’s helpful to see prominent examples that show us how far society has come and that masculinity has evolved. “When a powerful person gives voice to vulnerability, it means a lot because there aren’t a lot of people who do that. In general, sports, politics and business are dominated by dominance.

He continued: “Masculinity has always been changing because it’s not a static concept. Some people view those changes with optimism, and one of the differences with Walz is that he’s someone who rolls with them and sees them as opportunities, not as a way to augment his own power.”

These figures are a breakthrough not just for women but for other men who feel emboldened to be themselves rather than conform to certain stereotypes. Perhaps we’re turning a corner into a new age of masculinity—a positive one, at least.