JumpStart National Hot Sauce Day (1/22/24)

While I’m a wimp and order all my food with zero stars, my son (22) is, and has been since he was a little guy. He’s the one who orders 4-stars at Thai restaurants and goes through the hot sauces gift boxes within days.  He is consistent with his favorite however:  Dave’s Hurtin’ Habanero.  What’s your go-to hot sauce?

Big Idea:  Over Christmas Break, my kids asked me how many times each day I think about the Roman Empire.  According to the Internet, men think about the Roman Empire several times each day. Hmmm.
 
I guess I’m not manly enough. 

Part of my recent foray into the realm of Identity and its importance in, well, EVERYTHING has been a little side tangent into toxic masculinity.  I’ve been reading from all viewpoints, and there is not single definition for what ‘toxic masculinity’ means and where the demarcation is between ‘toxic’ and regular ol’ masculinity.

Perhaps we should just go with the idea that toxic means ‘poisonous or very harmful or unpleasant in a pervasive or insidious way.’ (Oxford)

Then maybe we can define toxic masculinity as being something like, “when one’s identity with being a male internalizes the traditional traits of being male to the point where it hurts both other people and the individual.”

My very wise wife and I had a conversation about this over dinner the other night, and she posited that there is also toxic femininity.

Instead of looking to place blame, maybe we should accept that it’s a thing and figure out how to prevent it from taking root in the next generation.  

Any ideas?

This Week, Try This:  Once again, I think the strategy here is curiosity.  If you hear a masculine friend make a comment about refusing to do something traditionally feminine (like laundry, talking about emotions, seeking therapy, etc.), ask them why they feel that way.  You may end up being shut down, but you might just plant a seed.

Quote:  "Toxic masculinity has nothing to do with being masculine; it is a fear of being perceived as feminine." (Farida D.)

Educator Resource:  Supporting Students through 504 Plans, IEPs, and Accommodations - January 30, 2024 3:30 - 4:30 pm The content of this course is targeted towards educators in the classroom, but all school community members who support students are welcome!

Nearly 20% of children and young people ages 3-17 in the United States have a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder. Teachers are important in helping implement student accommodations in the classroom setting. We’ll discuss the differences between 504 plans and IEPs, along with recommendations for accommodations that may be helpful in common mental health conditions. We’ll review ways educators can help support students needing additional services. This event includes a Q&A session with facilitators. If you’d like to submit a question for the panel before the event, please do so here: https://forms.gle/13iwvawYirgijtXs8
Facilitators:
• Garseng Wong, MD and Christy Ky, MD, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellows at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago & McGaw Medical Center at Northwestern
• Khushbu Shah, MD, MPH - Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Attending at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago & McGaw Medical Center at Northwestern University
​
Dad Joke:  Why don't some couples go to the gym?  Because some relationships don't work out.