Interrogating positive, healthy and progressive masculinities: conceptual frameworks and their limits for marginalized men

The UK Government’s pledge to develop men’s health strategy, alongside the reception of the Netflix drama Adolescence, has reignited debates about a perceived ‘crisis of masculinity’ and concerns over men’s health, educational underachievement, and regressive or toxic masculine behaviours, particularly among marginalized and/or working-class men. In response, the idea of encouraging positive, healthy, and progressive masculinities has been promoted as solutions. The transferability of these concepts to marginalized and/or working-class men remains underexplored. Drawing on a narrative review, this article addresses this gap by critically examining literature and empirical studies on these forms of masculinity, analysing their theoretical foundations and practical implications through the lens of critical studies on men and masculinities. The analysis identifies recurring themes, including emphasis on agency, school-based interventions, absence of unified definitions, and deficit-laden portrayals, while highlighting the significance of intersectionality and place in shaping masculine practices among marginalized and/or working-class men. It also reports research documenting softer displays of manhood among this subgroup. The article argues for consideration of context-sensitive interventions that challenge regressive gender norms and underscores their potential to reduce social and economic imbalances. Finally, it calls for longitudinal research to advance understanding of how masculine identities evolve among marginalized men.