#YEAR13PROBLEMS

Toxic lad culture

One problem that is not just an issue for Year 13, but one that permeates pretty much all of society is ‘lad’ culture. In fact, it’s toxic lad culture. It’s something that personally sickens me to the core and makes me feel ashamed of some of the people I know. Lad culture is vile, it is harmful and it’s not ‘banter’ anymore.

Lad culture is the so-called ‘locker room talk’. It’s the environment where boys feel like they can talk about girls as if they are objects, to be passed around for their pleasure. It’s the environment where boys are allowed to speak about forcing girls to do things they don’t want to do, and doing it when they’re drunk. It’s the environment where boys try to out-do each other by how cruel and heartless they can be, and any boy who doesn’t conform is cast out. It’s the environment where it’s cool (and encouraged) to act thick with no emotions. And, like I said, it’s disgusting.

Toxic lad culture is not just hurting girls, it’s hurting boys. Including boys who conform to it out of fear of being rejected while their hearts aren’t truly in it. It’s a shame that genuinely kind boys are being lost and claimed by such a sick ideology – and that’s why it’s our job to stand against it.

I consider part of my job as a feminist to help boys stand up against stereotypes and culture that hurt them, too. I know that lad culture is one of those and so I personally try to be a ‘pocket’ or a ‘safe space’ (for lack of a better phrase) where nice boys can be just nice boys. I don’t want them to be cruel or hurtful, and I think it’s only healthy for them to have somewhere to be themselves. If I am that place, then that’s great. You should try to do that too because it’s only a small thing, but it can make a big change.

Let’s stand against toxic lad culture.