Cultivating "Masculinity": Where Does China's Anxiety about Masculinity Come From?

Abstract

China's Education Minister recently called for educating teenagers to be "masculine" by highlighting the "crisis of masculinity." This paper intends to examine the causes and impact of this initiative by exploring the cultural and societal factors. Drawing on academic literature, media reports, and government policy documents, the paper identifies the main causes of anxiety in China about masculinity from two perspectives: 1) The increasing participation of Chinese women in the workplace and 2) The trend of feminization and its relationship to collectivism. Finally, the paper discusses the negative consequences of overemphasizing the "crisis of masculinity" in China, particularly on mental health issues, domestic violence, and gender stereotypes. This paper offers insights into promoting a more diverse and inclusive gender-equal society.