SURGEON, AUTHOR, AND INSPIRING SPEAKER, DR. SEUN ADETAYO, SHEDS LIGHT ON THE TERM “TOXIC MASCULINITY,” ITS EFFECT ON MEN IN OUR SOCIETY, AND INVITES EVERYONE TO HELP ELIMINATE THE NEGATIVITY AND DIVISIVENESS IT ENGENDERS TO AN END.

Dr. Seun Adetayo, renowned plastic surgeon, author, and inspiring speaker, writes about the unconscious acceptance of language and behavior that contributes to toxic masculinity and invites readers to take responsibility for becoming aware of their perpetuation of this negative culture.

OMAHA, NE – June 11, 2021 – Dr. Seun Adetayo, renowned plastic surgeon, author, and inspiring speaker, has posted a new article on her website entitled, “Let’s Commit To Ending The Culture Of Toxic Masculinity,” in which Dr. Adetayo explores the origin and the many unconscious ways it is propagated throughout culture.

Dr. Adetayo states, “As I thought about Father’s Day this month and the incredible importance of paternal roles in the very fabric of society, I couldn’t help but ponder the term “toxic masculinity.” This phrase has surfaced in the last several years reflecting the culturally conditioned behaviors toward males in our society.” She adds, “I hope to shed some more light on this topic, and explore behaviors and attitudes that cultivate such negativity, not only in the males and fathers that surround us, but for all humanity in general.”

Dr. Adetayo poses the question, “What is toxic masculinity?” In answer she writes, “The Good Men Project defines it this way:

“Toxic masculinity is a narrow and repressive description of manhood, designating manhood as defined by violence, sex, status and aggression. It’s the cultural ideal of manliness, where strength is everything while emotions are a weakness; where sex and brutality are yardsticks by which men are measured, while supposedly “feminine” traits—which can range from emotional vulnerability to simply not being hypersexual—are the means by which your status as “man” can be taken away.”

Additionally, Dr. Adetayo writes, “LearningforJustice.org, notes that the phrase toxic masculinity “is derived from studies that focus on violent behavior perpetrated by men, and—this is key—is designed to describe not masculinity itself, but a form of gendered behavior that results when expectations of “what it means to be a man” go wrong.” https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/what-we-mean-when-we-say-toxic-masculinity

According to Dr. Adetayo, propagating toxic masculinity happens throughout society in subtle ways. She asks, “Have you ever told a male or male role equivalent – father, son, husband, partner, brother, etc., – to “be a man”?” She adds, “If so, you have participated in perpetrating toxic masculinity.” She poses another question, “Have you ever used the phrase “man up” to a young boy or man?” She emphasizes, “If so, you have contributed to perpetrating toxic masculinity.” She also writes about the negative health outcomes and psychosocial effects for males in society and how we can all play a part in eliminating the cycle of toxic masculinity.

The entire article can be read at: Click Here

About Dr. Adetayo

Dr. Seun Adetayo currently practices in Omaha, Nebraska. She is a board-certified Plastic Surgeon and a Diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  She is a Professor of Surgery, and Chief of Pediatric Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Adetayo is unique in her field. As a gifted surgeon operating in a competitive field, Dr. Adetayo is also the first foreign-born (Nigerian) female minority surgeon to have built a successful nationally accredited multidisciplinary program for children with birth defects in Northeastern New York. She continued in this trajectory of helping patients and families as she now heads the Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery where she serves as the Chief at the Children’s Hospital. Her journey has been dedicated to caring for patients and their families; mentorship for students, residents, and faculty; advocacy for legislation at local and national level; research; education; and community engagement and leadership. She shares her journey and strategies for success via her print material, meeting panels, blogs, and speaking engagements.

Dr Adetayo has authored several book chapters in leading texts, including the second edition of Comprehensive Cleft Care which is an authoritative text volume on cleft and craniofacial disorders and treatment.  She also authored a chapter in the Family Companion Guide for educating patients and families with cleft and craniofacial diagnoses. She was also the author of the chapter on treatment of zygoma fractures in the text Operative Techniques in Plastic Surgery.

She has received over 40 awards and recognition, and her work has resulted in over 50 published works and over 60 presented works at regional, national, and international meetings. She is published in peer-reviewed publications in leading journals including Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal, Annals of Plastic Surgery, Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, and Journal of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics.

Dr Adetayo plays an important role in mentoring and education in surgery, healthcare, and professional circles. She served as an invited surgeon and surgical educator during her last mission trip to Zimbabwe, where she served as the lead surgeon and guest lecturer for various hands-on plastic surgical reconstructions and teaching sessions. She is active in Women In Leadership lectures and advocacy. She served as a speaker for the Synthes collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Company on Improving Cultural Competence and Ethnic Diversity in Healthcare, and was one of four selected panelist speakers on Pioneering Women in Reconstructive Surgery International Program by L’Oreal in conjunction with Resurge International. She was an invited speaker at the 2019 Healthcare Finance Management Association (HFMA) annual Women In Leadership Conference in upstate New York. In 2020, she served as the Keynote Speaker for the Stryker Women’s Network National Conference National Women in Surgery and Leadership event in California.

Dr. Adetayo has served in various community leadership positions including Chairperson of the Long Beach Rescue Mission, Co-President of the Phi Delta Epsilon Premedical Society, Co-President of the Pritzker REMEDY Cuba Medical Aid Mission, Coordinator of the Chicago Local Chapter of the Adolescent Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) program for inner city Chicago school kids. She currently serves as Managing Editor and Co-Chair of the Learning Resource Committee of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA).

She has been involved in various medical education and surgical trips to several countries including Cuba, Haiti, Nigeria, Peru, and Zimbabwe as educator and surgeon. She was awarded a Diploma of Honor conferred by the President of the Congress of the Republic of Peru.  She collaborates on meaningful initiatives with various international organizations including Rotary International and The Smile Train on improving surgical outcomes, healthcare delivery, patient safety, and quality control standards in surgical reconstruction. She continues to be active in advocacy and philanthropic efforts in developing children and advancing communities.

 

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