Football holds a 'masculine essence' that Lars Steinhoefel finds toxic - Football holds a "dominant masculinity" for Lars Steinhöfel
In a thought-provoking discussion, German actor Lars Steinhoefel, best known for his role as Ingo "Easy" Winter in the long-running soap opera "Under us," has expressed his concerns about the toxic masculinity prevalent in football and the need for greater recognition and support for women's football.
Steinhoefel, born in East Berlin, has been a fixture in German television for over two decades, but his recent comments on football culture have garnered attention beyond the small screen. He has been open about his critique of the traditional, hyper-masculine norms that he believes foster unhealthy behaviours such as aggression, suppression of emotions, and intolerance towards vulnerability.
The actor argues that this toxic masculinity not only affects the mental health and well-being of players but also creates a hostile environment for fans, particularly women and minority groups. He believes that a cultural shift towards emotional intelligence, respect, and gender equality is necessary to dismantle these harmful norms.
Steinhoefel, who was raised watching football on Saturdays at his father's house, where football is a "hardcore fan's" passion, finds it unfair that men don't want women to get more of the financial pie in football. He believes that the lack of recognition for women's football is due to its toxic masculinity and that men don't want women's football to receive the same recognition as men's football.
The actor, who plays no part in football himself, acknowledges that women's football has historically received less media coverage, lower financial investment, and less institutional support than men's football. However, he is optimistic about the rapid growth and increasing popularity of women's football globally. He applauds efforts by organisations and governing bodies to elevate the women's game and stresses the importance of granting women's football equal respect, better funding, and more visibility to help the sport thrive and encourage younger generations of girls to participate.
Steinhoefel's views reflect a progressive stance aimed at transforming football culture by challenging toxic masculinity and promoting equality between men's and women's football. He emphasises that fostering inclusivity and respect in football benefits the sport as a whole, making it more enjoyable and accessible for everyone.
"Under us," filmed in Cologne, is one of the classics of the soap opera genre and has been broadcast in the afternoon program of RTL since 1994. Steinhoefel, one of the most famous soap actors in German television, won the RTL show "Summer House of the Stars" in 2021 with his ex-partner Dominik Schmitt.
- Despite his staunch love for football, stemming from his childhood memories watching matches at his father's house, Lars Steinhoefel advocates for more equal recognition and financial support for women's football, contending that the current focus on traditional masculinity in football culture is detrimental.
- In line with his belief in dismantling toxic masculinity in sports, Lars Steinhoefel suggests that more vocational training opportunities, public entertainment events, and sports programs should be dedicated to promoting gender equality and emotional intelligence in football.
