On Instagram, the profile @blogojciec, one of the most popular parenting blogs offering advice, inspiration, and ideas for parents, raised the topic of whether boys can cry.
Father Reminds Us: "Boys Cry. And There's Nothing Wrong With That"
"Boys will be boys" is an extremely harmful and outdated mindset, but when I hear about all those alpha males on the internet (who, by the way, also teach others how to be an alpha male), I feel the need to regularly remind people how harmful it is...
wrote @blogojciec, along with a graphic emphasizing that "boys cry, and there's nothing wrong with that." He wants to break the stereotypical thinking that boys and men shouldn't express their emotions and vulnerabilities.
Internet Users Divided, Some Still Believe "Men Must Be Tough"
The post about raising boys garnered many comments. Some agreed with the viewpoint shared by @blogojciec, while others disagreed. There were also those who thought the message was good but needed further clarification:
You have the wrong message, Mr. Blogojciec: Boys will become men when they learn to show respect and take responsibility for their actions. Boys don't cry in front of just anyone. They cry when necessary and in front of those who deserve it, and there's nothing wrong with showing emotions. What's wrong is not understanding them and turning them into a spectacle
- one commenter wrote.
"Being a man isn't bad; be a strong man and a wise person. Be yourself and don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something" - he added.
There were also people opposed to modern parenting methods, favoring those from the past, and they weren’t convinced by expert opinions:
"Sure, raise your sons to be crybabies. Just wait 30 years and wonder why 'such a nice, sensitive guy keeps getting dumped by women after a while... why?'" - one user asked sarcastically.
However, the majority had a completely different view: "Extremely harmful and outdated," "Emotions don’t have a gender," "A man’s sensitivity doesn’t mean they stop being masculine or men."
Psychologists: We Have the Right to Show Emotions
Years ago, it was common to believe that a man should be calm, composed, brave, and courageous. Men were expected to control their emotions because showing weakness was seen as shameful.
According to research, over 80% of men aged 18-35 don’t want to show emotions in difficult situations. So when situations like the death of a loved one, a divorce, or a conflict occur, they prefer to act like nothing's wrong rather than allow themselves to show vulnerability
- we read on the portal psychologgia-plus.pl.
Suppressing emotions can have serious consequences. As a result, men tend to withdraw, feel ashamed when emotions take over, and experience guilt.
Anyone who suppresses emotions will not only have trouble feeling better but will also be at risk for anxiety and other mental health issues (e.g., signs of depression). Sometimes, everyone reaches a breaking point. We are all human and have the right to feel strong emotions.
