The US military’s plan to test troops’ testosterone levels has sparked mixed reactions, with experts weighing in on the potential effects on performance and masculinity. The plan, announced by Fox News host Pete Hegseth, aims to optimize performance on the battlefield by offering testosterone replacement therapy to service members with low testosterone levels.
However, some have raised concerns that increased testosterone levels could lead to increased sexual desires and potentially even sexual violence. Experts say these concerns are largely unfounded, but the conversation has highlighted misconceptions about testosterone and masculinity. Dr. Arthur Burnett, a professor of urology and oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, notes that testosterone replacement therapy should be aimed at restoring a true deficiency, not enhancing performance or redefining masculinity.
Misconceptions about Testosterone
Testosterone plays a crucial role in maintaining muscle mass, bone density, red blood cell production, energy levels, mood, and sexual function. However, experts say that the military’s plan may perpetuate misconceptions about testosterone and masculinity. Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen, an endocrinologist and obesity specialist, warns that taking testosterone without a medical need can be harmful, as it can shut down the body’s natural production of testosterone, leading to infertility in men.
The plan has also sparked a conversation about the idea of masculinity and its connection to biology. Ronald Levant, a professor emeritus of psychology at The University of Akron, suggests that the plan may be more about the idea of masculinity than meeting a medical need. He notes that masculinity is a set of social norms that change from generation to generation and that any connection to biology is tenuous at best.
The False Promise of Masculinity
Levant argues that the idea that being more macho will fix young men’s problems is a false promise. He notes that extreme fringes of the manosphere, which emphasizes hypermasculinity, have praised violent attacks against women. He also notes that some men turn to surgeries and supplements in an effort to achieve financial, romantic, and overall happiness, without considering nuance or evidence-based science.
Todd Post, a former contractor for the military’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program, notes that the conversation around the plan has perpetuated the myth that sexual assault is inevitable and biological. He argues that this myth condones sexual assault and that the military’s reporting system is flawed, leading to underreported incidents of sexual assault.
A Myth about Sexual Assault
According to RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, only 30% of sexual assault in the military is reported. Post notes that male victims of sexual assault often remain silent due to stigma and the fear of appearing weak. He argues that the fixation on masculinity only worsens this issue.
Norman Pearlstine is the Chief Editor of News Raise and focuses on Business news. His responsibility is to oversee the editorial content including business, commodities, personal investments and the stock market.
