Oscar Trickett

Unifying Different Illustration Practices to Explore “Toxic Masculinity”

Illustrations

Research

My project began with rigorous research into issues stemming from toxic masculine attitudes exhibited by male students at universities across the UK. I found that these negative behaviours were exacerbated by the nightlife and drinking culture prevalent on university campuses, with many students reporting experiences of harassment and assault in club settings, including within their student unions. Such incidents also occurred in broader contexts that included leadership events and other daytime activities.

Loughborough University, unfortunately, was not immune to this epidemic of misogyny. This led me to focus on Loughborough University and to explore the extent of this problem within the institution. Therefore, I conducted focus groups in which I discussed this topic with Loughborough students and alumni.

Focus group questions

• What comes to mind when you think about the term “masculinity?”

• What effect do you think these ideas have on young male and female students at Loughborough University?

• Can you describe what misogyny is and what it can be compared to?

• Can you explain what feminism is, providing examples?

• Do you think that “toxic masculinity” is perpetuated at Loughborough University?

• What can Loughborough University do to respond to these issues more effectively?

My questions were included with other relevant documentation, such as the informed consent form and participation information sheet, in my ethics approval paperwork. This was reviewed by my project supervisor and met with a favourable decision. Following the focus groups, I transcribed the interview data and then broke down these primary research findings into the following key themes:

• Ideas that related to men’s mental health support as an effective method for preventing issues of toxic masculinity from spreading.

• University culture that creates an immense pressure to fit into certain groups and creates problems of segregation among students (this theme also covers university nightlife and its relationship with the problematic behaviour of some male students).

• Explicit bullying and harassment of students.

• The lack of connection between students and its relation to how well they can empathise with others.

• Issues that can be perpetuated by the university.

Participants discussed their own experiences at Loughborough University in these focus groups and this informed the visual output of my project. Quotes from the focus groups are included within the artwork.