Research: What Fragile Masculinity Looks Like at Work.

This article examines how fragile masculinity—when men perceive threats to their gender identity at work—can lead to harmful behaviors such as aggression, dishonesty, and undermining colleagues. Based on studies involving over 500 workers in the U.S. and China, the research finds that men who feel their masculinity is challenged often experience reduced autonomy and respond by engaging in toxic workplace actions, whereas women facing similar femininity threats do not exhibit the same harmful responses. The article recommends acknowledging fragile masculinity, promoting healthier and broader definitions of masculinity, and restructuring workplace environments to reduce competitiveness and increase autonomy as key strategies to mitigate these negative outcomes. It emphasizes that addressing masculinity threats benefits overall workplace equity by validating diverse gender identities and reducing destructive behaviors.