When it comes to processing emotions, there are different expectations for men and women. For women, who are often?viewed as ¡°sensitive,¡± it's socially acceptable for them to express their feelings, like sadness or fear. On the other hand, men,?who are seen as strong and fearless, are not encouraged to outwardly express their emotions.?
Highlighting these cultural norms and gender stereotypes that have been circulating for generations, digital content creator Bhuvan Bam, has delivered a powerful spoken word piece as part of the lead-up to International Men's Day.
International Men's Day is being observed every year on November 19. It is celebrated to raise awareness and promote mental health support for men.?
Bhuvan Bam has?collaborated with with Menxp, as part of its?#DontManUp campaign,?to talk about the various misconceptions and so called cultural conventions, that men have to face habitually.?
In 1 minute and 55 seconds-long video, Bhuvan expounds on the flawed narratives that men are tired of hearing -?'Men Don¡¯t Cry', 'Toughen Up', or 'Be The Man Of The House.'?
The?heartfelt piece underlines the pressures?in the lives of men from an early age.?From the day we are born, we all receive subtle (and not so subtle) cues on how to be a man. From ¡®baby boys wear blue¡¯ to ¡®real men don¡¯t back down from a fight¡¯, gender stereotypes are embedded into our culture.
In the poem, Bhuvan challenges some of the regressive expectations holding men back and shines a spotlight on how men find it difficult to acknowledge their sorrows. While admitting that it does get?difficult for men to express their feelings, Bhuvan is quick to call attention to generational?adages that have enforced such frailty. The unabated demand to ¡®Toughen Up¡¯ and ¡®Man Up¡¯, has harmed men more than we realize.?
A man crying is unfortunately considered as a sign of weakness.?When you¡¯re a boy or a man, expressing your pain and suffering, you¡¯ll hear someone in the back saying:?¡°Boys/Men don¡¯t cry!¡±
But why are men encouraged to suppress their emotions and follow an overtly masculine mind frame??How do we get rid of such powerfully ingrained cultural hazard??
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