On a recent episode of the Joe Rogan Experience, Joe Rogan sat down with actor Scott Eastwood for a conversation where the two discussed the way society views masculinity. As the discussion shifted toward the qualities that defined previous generations of men, the pair began examining the modern use of the phrase “toxic masculinity.”
The topic emerged while Eastwood reflected on the men who went during World War II and the hardships that shaped them. He argued that adversity produced a different kind of resilience than many people experience today.
“I think we need a little harder men,” Eastwood said.
His comment prompted Rogan to challenge the language surrounding masculinity itself.
“We need to stop using this term toxic masculinity,” Rogan said. In his view, the phrase misidentifies the real problem by attaching destructive behavior to masculinity rather than calling it what it is.
“Toxic masculinity is a guy who beats people up and robs people and r*pes,” he said. “That’s toxic man. That’s criminal behavior.”
Rogan argued that labeling those actions as “masculinity” creates unnecessary confusion because they have nothing to do with the traits he associates with being a good man.
Instead, he described masculinity as being rooted in responsibility, reliability, and service to others.
“Masculine behavior is a guy who gets things done, provides for his family, takes care of people,” Rogan said. “You can call him at 2:00 in the morning because you need a favor. You’re stuck on the side of the road.”
According to Rogan, those qualities are beneficial to society rather than something that should be viewed with suspicion.
He also rejected the idea that physical or mental strength is inherently dangerous.
“Strong people are good,” Rogan said. “It’s good to have strong people. And this idea that somehow or another strength is bad for society is really crazy.”
For him, the deciding factor is not whether someone is strong, but how that strength is used.
The conversation then turned to martial arts, which Rogan believes is one of the healthiest ways for men to develop discipline and perspective. He argued that combat sports build confidence while also teaching humility because they expose people to their own limitations.
Too many people, he said, have an unrealistic view of how tough they are simply because they have never been tested in a controlled environment.
