Men, it is okay to be in tune with your emotions: Society’s falsified image of a man.

“Real men are hypermasculine,

sexually experienced,

and unexpressive with their feelings.”

 

These are some of the myths about “manhood”. Who is really at fault society or us for believing them? Society teaches us since birth as women that our partners are to be our protectors and conquerors but less about men maintaining self-care and positive communication along the way. As society teaches we believe them. Parents don’t provide equal emotional treatment among their children regardless of sex. Fathers show your sons that they don’t have to always be emotionally strong and that men can show love and kindness to other men. It is so important. Men should be able to confide in other men without being afraid of judgement or feel as though they will be looked upon as less masculine.

 

Women give your man space to be able to voice his opens and not bottle them up. The cycle of thinking and acts continuing without any adjustment leads to a lot of men getting into improgressive unhealthy relationships whether platonic, romantic, father-daughter or father-son. Open dialogue is one if not the most important factors in a relationship in order for men to be able to give and receive love properly. Men should be able to discuss when they are mad/upset, sad, or indifferent to situations and not just ” Man Up about it” and brush it off.

 

Just when we thought society was enough we have some of the older generation who says back in the day “Men were men”. We get it, GRANDPA, back then most men were the breadwinners and took life burdens on their shoulders without a complaint or saying a word and that is okay.

 

 

However, men are still men today. There is just a difference in the household dynamics. Mental health is something that is not just swept under the rug. It should be kept in order to maintain relationships, employment, and sanity. Society teaches us that women are the more emotional creatures.

However, just as women need emotional support, MEN DO TOO. As men and women, we are here to support each and hear each other needs. Women pour love, encouragement, and most of all transparency into your man. Men need to have open space where they can talk about their injustices and their TRIUMPHS.  Being strong and being emotionally vulnerable are not separate entities but intertwined in the character of a man.  When a man reveals something in his heart or that’s bothering him the world should let him speak his peace.

Positive mental health and self-care are important. In African-American society, the prevalence of depression is high for black men. Reasons may be that black men feel they are not able to discuss the daily challenges they have to overcome whether it is poverty/employment, sexual harassment/assault, family drama/conflicts, violence, fear, resentment, or addiction. Men should be able to talk about it openly and not be afraid of judgement or ridicule. Men you are entitle to your emotions and your feelings are valid.

Men

It is okay to love.

It is okay to be with selective when it comes to your body and partners.

It is okay to smile and be happy.

It is okay to have healthy friendships with men and show them, love.

It is okay to cry.

It is okay to be upset.

It is okay to not be okay.