Read This: Tim Walz has Tonic Masculinity
Tim Walz embodies "tonic masculinity"—a refreshing contrast to toxic masculinity, reflecting his sincere, competent, and approachable leadership style.
The notion of "tonic masculinity" has surfaced recently as a fresh, positive contrast to toxic masculinity, particularly in the context of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who has become the embodiment of this concept. As a former high school teacher, National Guardsman, and now Kamala Harris's running mate, Walz represents an approachable, kind-hearted figure that has inspired the creation of quirky online personas, like “Tim Walz Fixed Your Bicycle.” The term itself, coined to describe a healthy, balanced masculinity, contrasts the aggressive, toxic behaviors often associated with traditional male archetypes.
The article is reminiscent of something I wrote on Threads recently, Tim Walz is the antithesis of a "Fox News Dad".
Washington Post contributor Monica Hesse encapsulates Walz’s appeal: "Tim Walz has tonic masculinity. Confident. Decent. The kind of man who... would start his job at the White House... and end with him wearing a headlamp up in the attic fixing some old wiring.” The rise of this characterization is a response to the boorishness and hostility often seen in contemporary politics, making Walz’s gentle confidence feel like a much-needed “tonic.”
Nancy Friedman
