Discover the harmful effects of discouraging boys from expressing emotions. Explore the importance of emotional well-being on Meri Sehat.

Why It's Damaging To Teach Boys Not To Cry?

I don't trust a man who doesn't cry, he's probably just saving up for a breakdown.

Overview

Even in the era of fourth-wave feminism, relatively more conscious parenting and widespread psychoeducation, in most cultures around the world boys are still taught from a young age that they should not cry or express vulnerability. This message is reinforced through societal expectations, <a href="https://merisehat.pk/article/shifting-paradigms-the-impact-of-dating-apps-on-traditional-gender-roles">gender roles</a> and even media portrayals of what it means to be a &lsquo;real man&rsquo;. However, teaching boys to suppress their emotions and vulnerability can have damaging effects on their mental health and well-being.&nbsp; 
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Expressing Vulnerability In Men

One of the main issues with teaching boys not to cry is that it reinforces the idea that emotions are a sign of weakness. This can lead boys to bottle up their feelings that then later manifest in negative ways. For example, some boys may become emotionally numb or disconnected from their feelings, while others may experience intense feelings of anger or frustration that they do not know how to express in a healthy way. All these bottled up feelings don&rsquo;t remain hidden forever and most of the time come out in really ugly ways. This is detrimental not just for the individual himself but also for the society at large.&nbsp; 
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Furthermore, teaching boys to suppress their emotions can also have a negative impact on their relationships. When boys are taught to hide their feelings, it can make it difficult for them to develop close and meaningful connections with. They may struggle to communicate their emotions or have difficulty empathizing with others, which can lead to conflicts or misunderstandings. These boys start associating a sense of shame around their feelings and emotions and that can keep them isolated from everyone around them. This also leads to them observing other emotional beings, such as girls or other expressive boys around them, as inferior human beings for being emotional. One can imagine how this isn&rsquo;t a recipe for healthy relationships and can lead to isolation.&nbsp; 
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Another issue with teaching boys not to cry is that it reinforces gender stereotypes and expectations. When boys are told that they should not express emotions or vulnerability, it reinforces the idea that men should be strong, stoic and unemotional. This can have negative consequences for men who do not fit into these traditional gender roles. For example, men who are more emotional or sensitive may feel like they do not fit in or that there is something wrong with them. This leads to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.&nbsp; 
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So how can we teach boys to express their emotions and vulnerability in a healthy way? One approach is to model this behavior ourselves. If we want boys to be open and honest about their emotions, then we need to demonstrate this behavior ourselves. We can also encourage boys to talk about their feelings and validate their experiences. This can help them feel heard and understood, which can help them develop more meaningful relationships with others.

Additionally, we can help boys develop emotional intelligence by teaching them how to identify and regulate their emotions. This can involve teaching them coping strategies such as deep breathing or mindfulness techniques. By helping boys develop these skills, we can give them the tools they need to express their emotions in a healthy and constructive way.

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Conclusion

We can have a much healthier society if we taught our men how to express emotions in a healthy way and stop seeing emotional expression as a sign of weakness and fragility. For this to happen, instead of talking about emotions using shame based language our ideas need a complete overhaul and we need to reframe them as healthy signals that our bodies send us in order to make us aware of what we need at any given moment. It&#39;s time to break down outdated gender stereotypes and expectations and embrace a more inclusive and empathetic approach to raising boys.

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