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Masculinity is often presented as toxic, with rigid expectations.

"Off Campus" offers healthy examples of masculinity built on respect, humor, and connection.

Having male characters discuss feelings, handle rejection, and even cry models healthy male behaviour.

“We don’t just need more role models. We need visible, authentic, relatable ones” —Tim Campbell

At first glance, Amazon Prime’s hit show Off Campus might look like every other college sports drama, with its high-energy blend of athletes, parties, and romance. But look a little closer, and something much more interesting is happening. The show doesn’t just deliver love stories and hockey. It offers explicit examples of positive masculinity, where ‘no’ is respected without question, male friends talk to each other about their feelings, and vulnerability isn’t seen as a weakness. At a time when expectations around toxic masculinity and the so-called ‘manosphere’ are increasingly celebrated by young men, Off Campus offers a refreshingly grounded alternative, where masculinity is built on respect, humour and connection.

Perceptions of what it means to be masculine are often linked to rigid behaviours and traits such as strength, dominance, and rejecting emotions. As a result, men and boys can feel under pressure to follow these rules and behave a certain way, meaning their attitudes and behaviours are driven by others’ expectations, rather than their own wishes and values. This extreme pressure to act in a stereotypically ‘masculine’ way is referred to as toxic masculinity (Harrop, 2023).

So how does Off Campus help to dismantle that script?

1. The way the men talk to each other

The male friendships featured on Off Campus are based around a group of hockey teammates, so as you........

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