It's such a strange dichotomy, to be honest. On one hand, I've never been actively belittled for being male, but I've definitely been told I'm not allowed having emotion because it's not masculine and that I'm not allowed acting 'weak' or 'girly' because I'm male.

The poll is basically your first feeling, to the question, has masculinity harmed or helped. If the first feeling isn't a good one I'd vote yes.

Has masculinity harmed or helped? What type of question is that?

Some people feel threatened or oppressed by the ideas of "a man should be strong" "a man should provide" etc.

Masculinity itself has nothing to do with it, more so societal views on masculinity. I just think the question is worded poorly imo.

Nope, I've worded it the way someone decided to call it.

I told him its just what people want to twist it into, but he insists its the idea itself that is bad.

*clicks no just to get a "SIGN UP NOW" prompt* k

anyways, question as asked in the limited twitter space, is far too vague because of the summarization. has it helped or harmed in what way? is definitely a followup question that can't be a yes or no lol.
the media influences are bad yes. but just the notion of changing yourself to be more "manly" or less manly depends on each person's environment/situation. its supposed to not matter but not everyone has that ideal caring, or lack of, people around them.

woo editing time ran out...

basically if you feel that you're not macho or feel like you want to be "the stronger" of a relationship or group, then tweaking your attitude and style should be fine. or if thats simply fun to play that role, then thats great too.

same could be said to the girly side. its sometimes fun to just let loose, but sadly society is still looking at flamy people as weirdos in certain places.

Nope masculinity has not harmed me. But then again rarely got the men don't cry line. Now when it came to pain yeah was told to man up but that was more a get over the pain deal.

I feel this question is a little too black and white...Like I've had people give me shit over how a man is "supposed to be", it hurt, and was frustrating that I was expected to be a certain way. But, I just ignored them and made my own eclectic mix of 'masculine' and 'feminine' traits and now people have said on multiple occassions that they consider me both a great example of a man and a woman and how they "should be".

The problem with the question though is that masculinity itself doesn't hurt people, it's a trait like any other that people can choose to identify with. What hurts people is unrealistic or uncharacteristic expectations to identify with a trait that doesn't fit you.

Better recommendations for the question would be:

"Has the need to be masculine ever been forced on you in a unpleasant and emotionally painful way?"
"Have you been forced to act a certain way due to someone else's standards of masculinity?"
"Does your penis hurt?"
"Does your butt hurt?"
"Is the thought of masculinity scary or uncomfortable to you?"

I can't say that it has. At least not consciously, or in ways that have truly bothered me.

Men are great. I'm glad and proud to be one. Masculinity, essentially, is a good/helpful thing. Sure, males make fun of other males, as kids... get called weak or yadda yadda. But, manhood/masculinity is a deeper identity than that, and everyone has had growing pains. Some individual men have acted oppressively, while other men have been heroes. There's no single checklist for what a man ought be -- that's more culturally constructed on an individual basis. Calling on masculinity may bring a sense of strength.
I think, instead... that some [e.g. current] representations of masculinity have unfortunately sublimed a noble set of ancient traits/expectations... affectionate mastery and apprenticeship, protectiveness of the public good, discipline and nobility, stoicism and hard work, bravery in the face of adversity, etc .... into an unintelligent and incomplete set of stereotypes which some individuals feel are unattainable and therefore reject (or attack, like some radical feminists). E.g., you can drive a truck, wear old spice and football pads, and still be a cowardly pussy -- those things don't make a person masculine.

*high fives* https://youtu.be/tx1mryKqvT8