The Fox News-Approved Guide to Being a Man: A Recipe for Toxic Masculinity
A recent segment on Fox News has sparked controversy and concern over the promotion of outdated and sexist ideals of masculinity. According to an article in The Guardian, Fox News host Jesse Watters has created a set of "rules for men," which include not drinking soup in public, not crossing one’s legs, and not drinking from a straw, as it makes one’s lips purse in an "effeminate" manner.
Watters, who hosts a primetime show on Fox News that attracts over 4 million viewers, has said that his rules are just a bit of fun. However, his influence and the impact of his show on American politics and society cannot be ignored. Research has shown that Fox News has a significant impact on shaping American politics, and Watters’ promotion of toxic masculinity and rigid gender roles is a concern.
The article in The Guardian quotes Watters as saying that men should not have male best friends. When asked about this rule, Senator Ted Cruz seemed dubious, responding: "Jesse needs a friend." This exchange highlights the potential harm in promoting such outdated and sexist ideals.
Watters’ views on women are also concerning. He has boasted on TV about how he courted his second wife by letting the air out of her car tires, leaving her with no choice but to accept a ride from him. At the time, Watters was still married.
The promotion of toxic masculinity and rigid gender roles has real-world consequences. There is a direct line between the misogyny and sexism amplified on Fox News and laws that treat women as nothing more than incubators and walking wombs. The attitude towards women espoused by Watters and others on Fox News has contributed to a culture that enables and perpetuates violence against women.
In contrast, women like Olivia Jaquith, a local news co-anchor, are defying traditional expectations of femininity and pushing back against sexist norms. Jaquith recently delivered her newscast while in labor, saying: "I’m happy to be here and I’ll stay on the desk for as long as I possibly can."
The impact of Fox News’ promotion of toxic masculinity is part of a larger conversation about the role of media in shaping societal attitudes. A recent report by the Southern Poverty Law Center found a 5% drop in hate and extremist groups in 2024, which can be attributed to the fact that many feel a lesser sense of urgency to organize, as their beliefs have infiltrated politics, education, and society in general.
As The Guardian notes, social media has given abusers new tools to manipulate and control their victims. The denial, attack, reverse victim and offender (Darvo) manipulation tactic used by abusers has taken on a new dimension, with powerful people now having an army of rabid fans ready to do their work for them.
In conclusion, Jesse Watters’ "rules for men" are not just harmless fun, but a reflection of a larger culture that promotes toxic masculinity and sexism. As The Guardian reports, it is essential to challenge these outdated ideals and promote a more nuanced understanding of masculinity and femininity.
As quoted in The Guardian, Arwa Mahdawi writes, "Watters may say his rules for men are just a bit of fun, but his viewers are gulping it all down. Obviously without a straw." The implications of Watters’ influence and the impact of Fox News on American society are concerning, and it is essential to continue to challenge and critique the promotion of toxic masculinity and sexism in all its forms.
Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/24/fox-host-jesse-watters-rules-for-men
The article, which details the concerning trend, further cited Tim Burchett, a Republican representative, saying, Burchett felt the need to tell us all what he likes to put in his mouth because Watters has come up with “rules for men”. These include: don’t drink soup in public, don’t cross your legs, don’t drink from a straw (it makes your lips purse in an “effeminate” manner), don’t drink milkshakes and “don’t wave simultaneously with two hands”.
