In a world where masculinity is labelled as ‘toxic’ and we are simultaneously encouraging women to be assertive, dominant and outspoken yet empathetic, sensitive and humble, I can only imagine the confusion that children growing up today must be experiencing. If a man is outspoken he is oppressive, if a woman is outspoken she’s a girl boss. If a man is assertive he is controlling, if a woman is assertive she is ‘standing in her power’. If a man is humble he is praised, if a woman is humble she is oppressed by the patriarchy. And yet we want men and women to be equal. No one ever told me it’s okay to want a relationship in which we fall into stereotypical gender roles. That these roles exist because as women and men we have natural tendencies that lead us to being the nurturer, the provider, the home maker or the protector. Masculinity is in fact not toxic, it is necessary, wanted, and a beautiful part of the interwoven dance between man and woman that we seem to have little interest in these days.