We hear a lot about toxic masculinity these days. But somewhere along the way, we’ve become so focused on criticizing masculinity that we’ve forgotten just how essential strong men are to our society. We depend on traditionally masculine qualities every single day, yet increasingly treat some of those same qualities as problems rather than strengths.

Consider something we rarely stop to think about. Approximately 96% of electrical linemen are men. So are roughly 97% of plumbers, 96% of electricians, 99% of roofers, and 95% of construction laborers. These are the men who build and maintain the infrastructure that makes our modern lives possible.

When an ice storm knocks out electricity, they’re climbing poles in freezing temperatures to restore power. When a water main breaks, they’re digging through mud to repair it. They’re building our highways, bridges, homes, hospitals, and schools while maintaining the electrical grids, pipelines, and transportation systems we rely on every day. Much of this work is physically demanding, often performed in brutal conditions, and sometimes extraordinarily dangerous.

Here’s another statistic worth considering: approximately 90% of workplace fatalities in America involve men. Every day, men take risks most of us will never have to consider, often to provide for their families and keep this country functioning. Most will never receive recognition for it, nor are they asking for any.

None of this suggests women aren’t capable of doing these jobs or that their contributions are less important. That’s not the point. The point is that men overwhelmingly perform much of the difficult, dangerous, and physically demanding work our society depends upon. That deserves recognition, not dismissal.

Which brings me back to masculinity. Why are we so comfortable benefiting from traditionally masculine qualities while increasingly treating those same qualities as something boys should be discouraged from developing? Strength, toughness, competitiveness, courage, protectiveness, and a willingness to sacrifice aren’t inherently toxic. In fact, they’re often precisely what we need when circumstances become difficult.

The problem isn’t masculinity. It’s strength without character, courage without wisdom, and authority without responsibility. Healthy masculinity isn’t about dominating others. It’s about having the strength to serve them. It’s a father who puts his family’s needs ahead of his own, a husband who remains faithful when marriage gets difficult, and a man who keeps his word, accepts responsibility, and does what’s right even when nobody is watching.

We should be raising boys to become men like that. Men who are strong but compassionate, confident but humble, courageous but disciplined. Men who understand that being capable of doing difficult things comes with a responsibility to use those abilities for good.

We don’t need less masculinity. We need more healthy masculinity.

Strong men help build strong families. Strong families help build strong communities. And strong communities help build a strong country.

STRONG MEN. STRONG COUNTRY.