Meryl Streep doesn’t think toxic masculinity is a thing because women can be toxic too

Big Little Lies Season 2 HBO Premiere

Meryl Streep continues to fundamentally misunderstand some real basic pieces of the modern conversations we’re having as a society, not to mention the more specific conversations that women are having in Hollywood. Remember when Meryl defended Russell Crowe’s sexist comments about older women getting movie roles? Remember when she denied being a feminist and said she was a humanist, I am for nice easy balance? Remember when she claimed she couldn’t be a feminist because she has a son and “I’m married to a man. I love men”? Remember when she was on the jury of the Berlin Film Festival and she whitesplained diversity as “we’re all Africans really”?? Meryl is, at times, the absolute f–king worst.

Okay, deep breath. I just upset myself all over again as I re-read all of Meryl’s bullsh-t. Okay, time to rage again. Meryl is currently promoting Big Little Lies 2, where she plays Perry’s mother, Perry being the physically and emotional abusive husband played by Alexander Skarsgard. Once again, Meryl was asked about a subject matter that related directly to the project she was promoting, and that issue is “what turns men into abusers?” But Meryl decided to… like, deny that toxic masculinity is a thing.

Meryl Streep has criticised the phrase “toxic masculinity”, saying it is offensive to men. “We hurt our boys by calling something toxic masculinity,” she said. “Women can be pretty f–king toxic … It’s toxic people.”

Streep was speaking at a panel discussion about the forthcoming second season of female-fronted show Big Little Lies, and brought the issue up after co-star Nicole Kidman recalled a male fan telling her about his enjoyment of the first series.

Continued Streep: “We have our good angles and we have our bad ones. I think the labels are less helpful than what we’re trying to get to, which is a communication, direct, between human beings. We’re all on the boat together. We’ve got to make it work.”

[From The Guardian]

Ms. We’re All Africans Really is out here #NotAllMen-ing, why am I not surprised? I feel like Meryl just hears these terms like “feminism” or “diversity” or “toxic masculinity,” and instead of reading about them and studying and opening her mind, she just immediately rejects those concepts and stays in her own oblivious little bubble. These are some things that Meryl believes:

Diversity isn’t important because we’re all Africans.
You can’t be a feminist if you love your husband.
Ageism in Hollywood doesn’t exist because she still gets scripts.
Toxic masculinity isn’t a thing because some women are toxic too.
Feminism is about hating men.

Guess who agrees with Meryl?

Big Little Lies Season 2 HBO Premiere

Photos courtesy of WENN.

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98 Responses to “Meryl Streep doesn’t think toxic masculinity is a thing because women can be toxic too”

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  1. Seraphina says:

    I have to say, that we women are our worst enemy. We don not stick together nor do we lift one another up. My worst manager was a female and my ugliest coworkers are females (and I don’t mean looks, I mean personality) and while men are no better, until we women stop treating each other the way we do, trying to remedy how we are treated by males will be fruitless. We divide ourselves and then the males conquer us. To those females who do lift one another up, I applause you. And wish I could work with some of you.

    • madthinking says:

      I get your point, and unfortunately, a lot of my experience has been the same. Still I think it’s unrealistic to think all women or even most women are going to change. I know a lot of marginalized groups stick together on issues, but women are a about 51% of the population with varying views and sticking together isn’t probably going to happen. Plus, I feel some women realize only a few women are going to rise to the top anytime soon, so they eliminate the competition. Meryl is the top of actresses and definitely older actresses. Hopefully, she’s not consciously doing this, but rocking the boat when there are only limited parts doesn’t really help her career. A lot of people get caught in the systems and just don’t see it. Probably not Meryl as she has had every opportunity, but other women don’t see it. In addition to more women realizing what is going on and trying to change it, we also need men. I admit every time I see a man at a women’s march with a sign saying I’m here for her I smile a bit extra. We need all who are willing to stick their neck out to change the system. It just is totally broke.

    • KC says:

      No the patriarchy divides women (not ‘females’ like you keep saying, you sound like an MRA).
      Because of the patriarchy, girls are socialized from an early age to be this way. For woman to truly come together we must smash the patriarchy first.

      • Jenns says:

        This.

        And I have worked with women my entire life and have never had these kind of experiences. I’m not saying that all women are perfect, but I would much rather work with women then men.

        If this keeps happening to you, you may want to consider that there is another issue here.

      • Jess says:

        I agree with KC and Jenns. The patriarchy has caused women to fight each other for years but that’s changing now. I’m 45 and throughout my career I’ve had great working relationships with women, esp female bosses. Meryl is an example of someone who hasn’t had to really read or understand any of what’s going on right now but had lived such a privileged life for so long she just assumes she can opine on anything. She’s reminding me of Matt Damon.

      • madthinking says:

        It’s always good to look at other issues. Still, I have have worked with both wonderful and not so wonderful women and men. However, the topic of women managers sabotaging other women has come up in pretty much every women’s business seminar I have ever been in, and I’ve been in a lot. If you haven’t seen it. Good for you, but it exists and ignoring it or diminishing it doesn’t make it go away. Sure the system is a large part of the reason, but it still exists.

      • Ader says:

        Yes; and, if I’m not mistaken, Seraphina comes in hot on threads about racial implicit bias and gets defensive, throwing around all-lives-matter-adjacent arguments.

      • CheckThatPrivilege says:

        I was socialized from a very early age to see white men as “better” than everyone else and to tolerate, turn a blind eye to (Weinstein cough cough) and defend their behaviors, especially the more money and connections they had. If a white man behaved badly, it was always a woman’s or POC’s fault for “overstepping” and “causing” him to react. I and my friends were all entrained into this toxic masculinity. In that sick world, men harassing you was a “compliment” and on you for being deemed f***able.

        Meryl grew up in a big, white-privilege bubble. Despite her life experience, or maybe because of it, she’s never busted out of that bubble and gained a wider, deeper perspective. I like that she keeps speaking up and reminding me to not spend my money and time on any more of her projects.

      • KidV says:

        I would assume in Hollywood the women are pretty bad at stabbing each other in the back, especially since historically, women’s careers are shorter lived than men’s. I’m not saying it’s NOT men’s fault, I’m just saying she probably dealt with an exceptional amount of vicious women. I think she’s out of touch and needs to educate herself before she speaks on any more issues, and I think her experiences are way different than ours.

      • Original Jenns says:

        THANK. YOU. It’s so odd that people can’t seem to understand that a lot of the toxicity among “females” is a direct result of the patriarchy that has been the driving force in our society since almost forever.

        I believe a lot of the sabotaging of women on women to move up the corporate ladder is a direct result of the patriarchy. There are only so many spots for women, only so many women are allowed in, and from what I see, only a certain type of women are welcomed in. This is straight toxic masculinity. And until THAT is forced to change, you have women fighting each other for one spot.

      • sunny says:

        *Claps* I agree with all of your points.

      • Seraphina says:

        @madthinking, yes. Lucky are the women who have not seen it or been victim to women bullying other females. Been there done that. Not pretty. Not saying men don’t do their fair share and more but we can’t get on a soap box when we do it to our own gender. And since we have been conscious of it we must stop it.

      • lucy2 says:

        Well said, KC. It’s all rooted in the patriarchy.

      • Godwina says:

        Needed response, thanks. My best boss was a woman and my worst was a man. Anecfuckingdata.

      • Lisa says:

        I love that you just discounted their experiences by saying “No” and then going on to explain what they experienced. I’m not saying you’re wrong but this is EXACTLY what they’re talking about. Instead of supporting them, you told them they were wrong.

        Try “I’m sorry you’ve experienced that but have you thought about…”

        Sorry, it’s a sore spot with me. I know you probably didn’t mean to do that, so excuse the rude tone.

    • Snowflake says:

      @seraphina, I have problems working w some women too. I’ve worked in the used car industry and some of the women act like they want to be the only woman there. And i’ve had them put me down in front of men to make themselves look better.

      • Seraphina says:

        @snowflake, my first job out of college I worked at a university. One of the professors was so mean and insulting she has me in tears several times. And she was a director of a department and a taught classes for women’s issues and feminism poli sci courses. I was stunned at how she treated some of females.

    • fishface says:

      @seraphina Unfortunately I must agree with your experience – and despite what @Jenns says – there are too many women out there who are just vile. It happens to a lot of women – every single one of my very accomplished women friends has been through it. I have worked professional environments my entire life – on five different continents – and the women in the workplace were unrelentingly worse than men. Men can be stupid buffoons, and yes there is sexual harassment – everything we know about and fight against. And fortunately, more and more there are ways to deal with this at an official level. But how do you call out a woman for being a bitch to another woman?
      The patriarchy is a significant cause, I agree, but that is no reason for women to perpetuate it or emulate it. Women can and do think for themselves – and some of the smartest I know, who are extremely aware of the patriarchy – are also vicious bullies. I would rather work for a male boss than a woman boss any day. And I know many women who feel the same.

      • Lisa says:

        Unfortunately, you’re right. It’s so sad.

        I’ve had mostly bad experiences working with women but the one good experience I had (and have right now) was amazing and I’ll always cherish it. She and I lifted each other up and luckily, we advanced and continued the supportive relationship. It CAN work but I hate to say it- it’s rare.

  2. Lex says:

    Lol yep Meryl… you also didnt know about Weinstein…. ooooookay!

    • A says:

      She also called him God during her Oscar speech,that should tell you a lot about her character.

  3. LaraK says:

    There is no poisonous mushroom since aresrnic is poisonous too.

    God she’s dumb!

    • ByTheSea says:

      Her reasoning is puzzling to me. Talking about toxic masculinity is bad for boys? How about teaching our sons not to be toxic a-holes, male chauvinists? How about teaching them to respect women and that “no” means “no”?

      • LadyT says:

        I get the impression she doesn’t like the specific phrase “toxic masculinity.” Not that certain behaviors aren’t toxic. Not defending, just reading.

      • ByTheSea says:

        She specifically said that women were toxic, too. But women have not historically and traditionally been allowed the free reign to terrorize, intimidate and often wreck havoc on people’s careers and lives. Women didn’t have and still don’t have the power men do; that’s why it’s “toxic masculinity” and not “toxic humanity.” (And what made you think I didn’t read?)

    • Lexluthorblack says:

      White women, throughout history, have terrorize POC and prop up white men. They have used WOC for their movements and abandon them later.

  4. Everley says:

    She’s a good actress, other than that, she’s dumb.

    • Eleonor says:

      I think we should start to admit this. Everytime she comes out totally out of touch.

    • Giddy says:

      That’s just the problem. I think because she is so talented we thought she was smart, but no. When we see an actress portray the very intelligent women that she has portrayed, it’s easy to forget that she is only saying the lines written for her; those are not her thoughts.

      • kerwood says:

        I was going to say the same thing.

        She’s a brilliant actress, one of the best of her generation but she’s never come across as being very intelligent. People have projected a lot on to this woman and now that she’s not living up to what they IMAGINED she was like. she’s being raked over the coals.

        Meryl Streep has never held herself up as a champion of women’s rights or a champion of anything really. When she’s not working, she’s home with her family, not lobbying for social change.

    • HELEN says:

      “She’s a good actress”

      she’s not even that great, really. her tics are extremely obvious and puzzlingly amateur.

      • Parigo says:

        I agree, overacts and overrated.

        She really needs to take a basic women’s study course.

    • Angie119 says:

      I always found Meryl Streep to be an upstanding person but not giving back to her communities is wrong. If I had lots of money, as she does, I wouldn’t quarrel about giving I would make sure my community was taken care of by my dollars. I wouldn’t brag about it but do it quietly. Also, I wouldn’t be a snob to those in my neighborhood either. It’s too bad to learn the truth.

      Sometimes we put people up high on pedal stools that we can’t even reach them but in reality, they are human beings like the rest of us. Just so sad she is so tight-fisted. Sorry to hear the truth.

  5. Kittycat says:

    How are people who know Meryl Streep not telling her she is embarrassing herself,

    I have to call out my mom all the time for her ignorance but I cant imagine having my moms idiot and ignorant statements posted everywhere.

  6. Desolee says:

    She has her talents (acting.)
    Acknowledging toxic masculinity HELPS little boys. Or it will in time I hope. Toxic masculinity hurts men too, I think most people here know this but just in case.

    • Some chick says:

      I agree 100% with this. She can be a brilliant actress yet totally blind in other areas. That’s being human. Doesn’t mean we should listen to her when she’s talking about anything other than her craft.

      More importantly, toxic masculinity is TOTALLY toxic for men and boys too. It’s an impossible standard, much like the photoshopped “beauty” that is sold to women. If they can keep everyone feeling inferior, it’s so much easier to sell their crap.

      It’s sad that Meryl has bought into the BS. She really is a brilliant *artist.* That doesn’t mean her opinions on anything else matter any more than the random at the bus stop spouting off.

      • Desolee says:

        Good points. Feminism will really help boys and men stay out of prison and stop being violent and destructive . I hope society will keep changing for the better. don’t know if she’s bought into anything or she’s just not really considered these things and gives every question a random spontaneous effort. She doesn’t seem like she’s even familiar with any of these topics, which kind of surprised me!

  7. minx says:

    She always looks smug to me.

    • Renee2 says:

      @Minx

      Yes!!!! Ever since I was a child I have been able to stand her!!!! So full of herself, and I think that she overacts too. Overrated, problematic lady she is.

    • Eve says:

      She *IS* smug.

  8. Div says:

    Oh Meryl, I’m not surprised though based on her previous comments. I will say that the “not all Africans” thing was allegedly either a misquote or badly taken out of context—various people on film twitter said when she made the comment it was not in response to criticism of diversity and was something else…still clueless but not at all the way it was framed as when it was first reported.

    Back in the day, Variety was defn. going for clickbait and framing actresses responses as if they were to Oscarssowhite when that wasn’t always the case. Didn’t they have to do a retraction because they tried to frame some actress’s response about female filmmakers—and strictly female filmmakers—in terms of Oscarsowhite to get angry clicks and then once you read past the headline you realized that wasn’t the case?

    • Mabs A'Mabbin says:

      Yeah if you have to go back to Cro-Magnon to make some point, you’re doing it wrong.

      • Div says:

        She was definitely doing it wrong—like I said, it was clueless, but it wasn’t anything to do with a question about needing more diversity or Oscarsowhite like it was originally framed. It was more of the clueless white well meaning leftist saying “I don’t see color” type of thing.

      • Mabs A'Mabbin says:

        She’s certainly unilaterally pandering to the masses. The problem with that in today’s culture is that nobody listens to diplomatic sanctimony.

    • Valiantly Varnished says:

      It wasn’t a misquote. She said it on camera.

  9. SM says:

    Well. The casting on BLL 2 was on point then. She clearly plays a mother who will ruin the life of mother of her grandchildren rather than admit that abuse is wrong and her son was not an angel. I think that rightly done it may explore a very interesting and nuanced topic of how parents are to deal with the wrongdoings of their children they love and raised, how and if you have to be responsible for the mistakes of your kids and what blame does to a parent. Clearly not by Meryl’s example. I hope then Nicole does better on promo trail.
    As for Don Jr. Will he also be with Hillary then, if she admits it was other woman (women) that made her life a living hell at particular moment rather than her cheating /lying husband?

  10. Alissa says:

    it doesn’t sound like she understands what toxic masculinity is referring to. if she did, she would understand that that hurts people’s boys much more than saying it. it sounds like she thinks people are just saying that all men are toxic. which is an ignorant and hurtful thing to say. that being said, maybe she should stop giving her opinion on shit she doesn’t understand. and that we are all African quote just made me think of the we are Africa song from book of Mormon.

  11. Beli says:

    Surely it can only be deliberate, wilful ignorance from people at this point?

    No one assumes I think all cars are red when I talk about red cars.
    No one assumes I think all cheese is mouldy when I talk about mouldy cheese.
    No one assumes I think all dogs are happy when I talk about happy dogs.

    In fact qualifying it specifically means that I’m saying clearly that it DOESN’T apply to the whole category.

    Learn. How. Adjectives. Work.

    • LadyT says:

      Try using a negative adjective and a less benign noun and see how well your example works. Something like “nasty women” maybe.

      • amanda says:

        No one assumes I think all water is toxic when I talk about toxic water.

        Checks out to me. Frame it this way and maybe Meryl Streep will get it.

      • otaku fairy... says:

        It’s not the same. Sexual predator, misogynist, white supremacist, and all-around crappy person Donald Trump calls liberal women nasty for not passively accepting him and his supporters in their toxic behaviors and destructive policies. Toxic masculinity is about men being encouraged to be authoritarian, violent, unemotional (except for when it comes to anger), sexually aggressive, homophobic, and insensitive toward others in order to be seen as manly.

  12. Mabs A'Mabbin says:

    Her comments remind me of a Disney fairy godmother.

  13. blinkers says:

    Good case study for how privilege makes the unreflective blind to reality… also she seems pretty toxic, so I guess she knows about that heh

  14. anp says:

    Wondering if she is still associated with Weinstein?

  15. Andrea says:

    I have had the worse experiences with women in my 38 years. From my mother who thought I was a love rival to her with my father( years in therapy over that one), to being picked on as a middle schooler for developing early and being smart, to many times in the workplace as an adult. I have dealt with so many female bullies there are too many to count. I had to leave one job years ago because the women in my small office of 10 called themselves the pit bulls and controlled the office including their two male bosses. The two male bosses were literally afraid to stand up to them! I am not sure that experience had to do with patriarchy.

    • babco says:

      I am with you here. Women can be toxic, violence is not always physical.

      My mom is a narc who has never raised a hand to anyone, but she spreads so much bad energy and manipulates everything for control she s truly toxic. Female-only dynamics can be bloodbaths under a facade of smiles and cupcakes.

      But the “toxic masculinity” term is not to say that men all men are toxic and women innocent (or any other apportioning of the blame about which sex is the worst), it is to highlight that the definition of masculinity itself carries some toxic elements (innate superiority over women, virility at all costs, show no feelings)

      Women (good or bad) don t feel superior just because they re women. It s not quite the social identity the world gives us.

      But lots of guys, especially the weak ones who feel humiliated because they re not the strongest, smartest among their peers, they really like the consolation prize of at least feeling superior to every woman.

      That is toxic masculinity.

      • perplexed says:

        “But the “toxic masculinity” term is not to say that men all men are toxic and women innocent (or any other apportioning of the blame about which sex is the worst), it is to highlight that the definition of masculinity itself carries some toxic elements (innate superiority over women, virility at all costs, show no feelings)”

        This is a good point.

    • otaku fairy... says:

      I definitely think the first two examples you mentioned are connected to patriarchy. They’re both examples of a young girl/young woman being treated in a toxic way by other women over their fear of the male attention she’ll attract (sometimes this can be about internalized victim-blaming too). The last one, I’m not so sure. Maybe those women were just a clique of workplace bullies who got together.

      • Andrea says:

        I can see that with my first two examples. My mother in general is alpha female and wants all male attention on her. She has even tried to compete for my boyfriend’s attention and repeatedly texted my ex boyfriend even after I told her repeatedly to stop. I have a lot of problems with her in general.

        She also hated Hillary in the 2016 election, I think partly because she was successful in a way my mother has not been. My mother gave up a good job opportunity all to marry up and be a SAHM with me, something she has always regretted.

        These both are symptoms of the patriarchy.

  16. babco says:

    More and more, I think it s a generational matter.

    If you want a good smh session in the same department, check Mariella Forstrup agony aunt column in the same Guardian this weekend.

    (Mariella Forstrup is a UK journalist and TV presenter in her 50s who has been vocal about women s rights, pay equality, menopause, publishes erotic anthologies … seems all good.)

    A lady writes to her “I m married, in my 60s, not a beauty but some friends’ husbands make pass at me and grope me. I want this to stop but I am afraid of the scandal, etc. what to do?”

    Mariella’s answer (I kid you not)
    – What a nice problem to have
    – You sure you re not leading them on?

    Pure victim blaming. So much internalized misogyny.

    https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jun/02/dear-mariella-frostrup-my-friends-husbands-keep-hitting-on-me

    • Mia4s says:

      It is generational to a certain extent, and sadly some of that generation is passing on some of this stupidity to vulnerable women. I thank the woman who came before me for the gains they made but I’m rapidly losing patience. To quote Bob Dylan: Your old road is rapidly aging. Please get out of the new one if you can’t lend a hand.

      Me: That house is full of carbon monoxide.

      Meryl: That’s offensive, not all houses are toxic, my house is perfectly fine.

      🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

    • minx says:

      I’m three years younger than MS. My sister is a year older than her. It’s all on her, not on our generation, trust me. AND both my sister and I have sons.

    • Andrea says:

      I have a former friend who is almost 50 who would have loved to have had that kind of attention. Some women feel once they reach a certain age (40 usually) they feel invincible to men and aren’t hit on, flirted with etc anymore. This is definitely an older generation thing and grappling with one’s aging/looks. In addition, these women were so used to catcalls etc, that they almost crave it now, if that makes any sense whatsoever! Things have changed drastically from the baby boomer generation to the Generation x/y.

  17. SZQ428 says:

    Can we cancel her already?

  18. perplexed says:

    I don’t think we have to rid ourselves of the phrase.

    But I also agree with the general point that women can be as toxic as men.

    I get what she’s saying but she’s not that articulate. I would have just said that females can also be toxic (i.e the female agents who led actresses to Harvey Weinstein), but I wouldn’t have suggested to get rid of the phrase. I don’t get the point of the latter. But she might be a product of her generation — I could see women in her generation being more put off by certain terms.

    I think people have to stop expecting Meryl Streep to be well-spoken just because she went to Yale.

  19. Eve says:

    …aaaand now I understand why I’ve been strangely annoyed by Streep lately.

  20. DS9 says:

    This is just as obtuse as deliberately misinterpreting #blacklivesmatter

  21. Lara K says:

    She just “All lives matter”d toxic masculinity!

    I kept trying to figure out why this sounded so familiar!

  22. Lucy2 says:

    Oh Meryl, You have become such a disappointment.
    I hope someone tried to explain it to her, but I get the impression she probably wouldn’t listen.

  23. Case says:

    Erm…yeah, it sounds like she’s woefully ill-informed on these topics and shouldn’t address them. “Toxic masculinity” isn’t claiming all men are toxic, it is defined as toxic elements of traditional masculinity in our society (no crying, stay strong, violent tendencies, etc.) and how that hurts boys and men. She literally has no idea what she’s saying.

  24. Jess says:

    I’m a disabled woman, so I get all the best garbage from the toxic women out there, because being disabled or having an otherwise gender non-conforming body or mind is an egregious moral offense in patriarchyland and these kinds of women are carrying the patriarchy’s water. It happens. Literally every disabled or trans woman I follow on social media talks about their encounters with this on a near daily basis. WOC deal with it too in the various forms of racism and colorism they face. But as a couple other commentors here have pointed out, it all goes back to patriarchy. It’s a special kind of internalized misogyny that patriarchy conditions women to buy into, because the only patriarchy-approved way for women to get ahead is to step on other women, and all the while, the toxic power hierarchy gets to go along unchallenged. It IS very toxic when women buy into that, but it’s also very toxic when women like Streep use such women’s toxic behavior to punch down feminism and other ways we are confronting the patriarchal oppression that keeps all women from being able to participate in society fully and safely. Streep is very wrongheaded and defensive here, so I don’t anyone will get through to her, as she has so much social clout and privilege to cocoon herself in, but it’s worth saying (again) that critiquing and challenging toxic masculinity isn’t the equivalent of “hating men” because it’s not about doubting whether men as human being are valid and worthy. Men are, which is why we’re trying to confront toxic masculinity. Toxic masculinity is about how society conditions men to behave in toxic ways that hurt *them* as well as many others, and if anyone needs helps understanding why this is an absolute crisis for men as well as the rest of us, please google recent articles on suicide rates among men. As for Streep, if see really loves men so much, I hope she gets a clue soon. But until then, she needs to take a seat.

    • Original Jenns says:

      This is a beautiful comment, as it really hits home as to how damaging toxic masculinity is for women AND men. Thank you so much for writing such a nice piece.

  25. Andrea says:

    Oh dear…I just saw that Donald Trump Jr agrees with her. Egads! That is not someone we as women would like in our corner.

  26. Hilarityensues says:

    I get what she’s saying…if you look in comment sections on FB women are constantly attacking other women. Men don’t really pick apart each others looks if they disagree but women do, still men are the driving force behind it.

    • Valerie says:

      Men will attack women for their looks at the slightest provocation, though. I learned that on twitter. If they disagree with you, they’ll let you know by insulting your appearance.

      • Andrea says:

        I am not on twitter, so I haven’t had this experience. I have though experienced women being jealous of other women and cutting them down easily on their appearance because of it. I always found that behavior cringe worthy.

    • Ange says:

      You must be reading a different Facebook to me.

  27. Valerie says:

    I mean, yes, women can be toxic. Toxicity knows no gender, but why is she so against specificity? I’m not sure she’s even clear on what the term means.

  28. RedWeatherTiger says:

    Dearest Meryl,

    Toxic masculinity is the SYSTEM that victimizes both men and women as it socializes boys to behave in certain ways or risk ridicule and normalizes abusive, demeaning, or oppressive behaviors against women, girls, and boys who do not “measure up” to some artificial standard of behavior.

    What about this concept is so difficult to understand? It has nothing to do with toxic women, who do exist and are a completely separate topic of conversation.

    Sincerely,
    Women Everywhere

  29. Mash says:

    its a two-fer for me…. Meryl kinda respresents a lot of the white silencing and convo/narrative controlling that white people do but this is ESP the case for white women. Taylor done it, Meryl of course, Gwen, Jenn Anniston, etc. etc. not to mention in my daily civilian life. As a black woman i’ve def ran into this type of “all lives mattering” when you are trying to bring to light issues or awareness that happeneing to one group be it black people, women, black women etc.

    Now i get what she’s saying in this regard to overall toxic people, but that why there’s the adjective TOXIC masculinity ….not just masculinity…common Meryl you KNOW that

    and then lastly — i heard HWeinstein is coming outta pocket with a 40million settlement and also this past week/weekend I saw a movie produced by Miramax “perfection” i think…so the biz is still running and if his bro gets some money I’m sure the weinsteins will overall as well…..i say all that to say that i dont think he is done in this town and i think people like Meryl and Angelica (old schoolers and secret loyalists) are hedging their bets that they receive favor when ish goes back to how it was (in hollywood at least)

  30. DP says:

    I don’t think she quite understands what toxic masculinity really means. It is hurting our boys, but not because it’s been labeled.
    And Yes, Women can absolutely be toxic too AND some women promote toxic masculinity as well. For example, a boy on my son’s soccer team cried when he got hurt and his mom said he needed to change his tampon. So rude and toxic- insinuating showing feelings was weak and only for females. This idea is bad for everyone.

  31. mar says:

    People expect way too much from Meryl. Sure, she is a great actress , but she is from the Hollywood era which is quite different than now. Her experiences have been very different than most woman in a world run by men. She is a rare in a world of actresses over 50, and I m pretty sure she was given much opportunity by men. I can not hate on her for her words, he is just a bit ignorant. She seems like she has it all figured out (lol)

  32. styla says:

    How dare she not drink the koolaid. Silly old woman.

  33. Leah says:

    I go on reddit sometimes and wonder how young white men still carry such toxic, regressive and anachronistic views about women and society in general and then I release that men and women like Meryl are the ones raising those ignorant fools

  34. Jaded says:

    Toxic masculinity is pretty much pervasive throughout the entire male sex. Learning NOT to be a toxic male comes from having great parents, teachers and friends to show you how not to let that toxicity control you.

    Toxic femininity, on the other hand, seems to come from learning how to emulate men, wanting that male kind of power over people and instead of learning to utilize our innate female strength positively as caring and respectful mentors, managers and parents, some women tip over to the dark side and become monsters. I’ve worked with toxic men and women but if there’s one thing my 66 years on the green side of the turf has taught me, it’s that those kind of women are an aberration, not the norm.

  35. Eveil says:

    At this point, I think Meryl just needs to shut up, do her work, collect her paycheck and go the hell away.

  36. Margo Smith says:

    Love this Kaiser. What a well written piece. Couldn’t agree with you more. Meryl, sit down and stop talking. Holy shoot man. What a mess of a press tour.

  37. mdsensei says:

    Honestly, this is a topic that is brought up and debated in feminist literature, about whether female>female suppression can be actually be considered hegemonic femininity or not; because ultimately even such suppression, or toxicity have you, privileges male supremacy. I agree with Streep that women can be truly awful to other women, but to actually minimize the larger dynamic is unfortunate.

  38. Mina says:

    I can sort of see the point buried way down in her words. Toxic masculinity is definitely a thing, but what do we call when women are toxic? And boy, they can be, yet we don’t want to admit there is an equivalent to toxic masculinity too.

  39. Estelle says:

    Yeah Meryl’s getting on … doesn’t “get” a bunch of stuff, unfortunately – it’s all become “normalized” to her.

  40. serena says:

    When Trump agrees with you, you know you’re in deep sh**. I hope that at least gets to awake Meryl. She’s too far in her little gold bubble she doesn’t realize her ignorance isn’t an excuse anymore in this century nor should it be when you take on acting roles like that and are such a big influence. God, she makes me so upset.