Big Brother star Zak’s behaviour showing ‘toxic masculinity’, says relationship expert

ok.co.uk:

Big Brother star Zak Srakaew's behaviour is showing signs of "toxic masculinity", according to a relationship expert. The cheeky and bubbly model initially seemed to be one of the most-liked housemates in the first week of the new series, which is now airing on ITV2.

But he has been in the middle of some bubbling tension with his fellow housemates over the last couple of days, with his "bantering" comments started to strike a nerve with two of the women in the house, as Zak, 28, insisted he could say and do what he liked.

Now Heart Bingo's relationship expert and co-founder of dating app SoSyncd, Louella Anderson, has exclusively told OK! that even when Zak makes "jokey" comments about his ability to say and do things based on his gender, these show a "lack of accountability". “Zak excused his own bad behaviour as acceptable because he's 'the boy' and he said he wasn't going to take stick off two women," the relationship expert explained. "It was a shocking comment to make and it's great that Trish and Olivia called him out on it. "While Zak was saying this in a jokey way, his behaviour is a prime example of toxic masculinity, where he believes he can act however he wants because of his gender.

His words show a lack of respect for others and a lack of accountability for his own actions." The dating app founder went on: "Zak then went on to talk about how he loves and respects his mum.This is a typical excuse used by men who are called out for their misogyny. “It's important to address and call out behaviour like Zak's in order to promote healthy attitudes towards gender equality.