What is “toxic femininity” — and is the term empowering, misleading, or something in between?
In this unfiltered episode of The Intersectionality Lab, host Almina is joined by Muskaan, Gillian, and Ana Catarina for a bold, nuanced conversation about one of today’s most debated gender concepts. Together, they unpack the origins of toxic femininity, the stereotypes and social pressures that shape it, and the ways it can reinforce — rather than dismantle — harmful gender norms.
Blending personal reflections with cultural analysis and academic perspectives, the hosts explore how expectations around agreeableness, appearance, competition, and “niceness” intersect with benevolent sexism and broader systems of inequality. From viral social media trends to everyday workplace dynamics, they examine how these patterns show up in real life — and who they impact most.
Provocative, reflective, and deeply intersectional, this episode invites you to question assumptions, challenge binaries, and rethink what gender norms are really doing beneath the surface. Tune in and join the conversation.
Additional resources
Anderson, K. V. (2023, August 8). The movie “Barbie” has put the phrase “toxic femininity” back in the news – here’s what it means and why you should care. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/the-movie-barbie-has-put-the-phrase-toxic-femininity-back-in-the-news-heres-what-it-means-and-why-you-should-care-205884
Glick, Peter & Fiske, Susan. (1996). The Ambivalent Sexism Inventory: Differentiating Hostile and Benevolent Sexism. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 70. 491-512. doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.70.3.491
Naraharisetty, R. (2022).The Internet Wants to Talk About “Toxic Femininity,” but Gets It All Wrong. Www.theswaddle.com. https://www.theswaddle.com/the-internet-wants-to-talk-about-toxic-femininity-but-gets-it-all-wrong
Saxena, T. (n.d.). Is toxic femininity a thing? Deccan Herald. https://www.deccanherald.com/features/gender/is-toxic-femininity-a-thing-2716864
Strong, R. (2022, June 26). Identifying and Overcoming Toxic Femininity. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/toxic-femininity
Risam, R. (2015). Toxic Femininity 4.0. First Monday, Volume 20, Number 4. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13013/416
