UNPOPULAR OPINION

Men shouldn't have to hide their emotions to be considered strong.

I love men that cry and I can explain. This wouldn't be the first occasion where I'll be saying this, it's something I do tell my friends and it's not because of anything but it's just something I strongly believe in. I'm not a sadist or anything but I just love men that cry. The fact that they choose to be vulnerable and be open makes my dopamine level rise and my heart squishy. It's just incredibly attractive that they are comfortable expressing their emotions and are not shamed by it and that speaks to their emotional intelligence and depth. Don't get me wrong, I love a strong confident man, but there's just something about a man willingly letting his guard down and can cry with me. It makes him more real and relatable.

Actually, I'm not here to talk about my preferences. I'm more interested in sharing my views about why men should be able to cry without shame or ridicule and it's a lot to unpack. Because me, I can cry. I can cry buckets. Any small stress, I'm going to call my mummy and cry.😭

Crying is a natural human response to sadness, pain and other strong emotions. It's a sign of empathy and vulnerability, not weakness. I've heard from male friends who say they've lost the ability to cry, not because they can't but because they've been conditioned to believe it's not acceptable for a man. At times like that, I ask myself this question, “what makes a man anyways?” From my biology and anatomy knowledge, it's testosterone levels and the presence of a penis. What makes a man if not his full spectrum of humanity? Why do we then restrict their emotional range? If a man's worth is solely determined by testosterone and a penis, why are we so quick to judging him for his vulnerability, an emotion we celebrate in women?

The double standards that allow women to express their emotions freely while expecting men to be stoic perpetuates gender inequality. Feminist movements champion equality, but they often overlook the way men are disadvantaged by societal expectations. They wouldn't talk about how they should be also held accountable in this act of limiting men's emotional expression.

I watched a video where a man was being interviewed and he was talking about how his best friend had jumped in front a train, committing suicide. He said that he had talked with his friend the day before and he didn't know that anything was wrong with him and the next day, he was hearing news that he's dead. If this man's friend had felt comfortable opening up about his struggles, perhaps he wouldn't have felt so much alone in his pain.

Bottling up emotions can lead to stress, anxiety depression or various mental health issues. The disregard and stigma around men's mental health should be broken down to encourage men to seek help if they are struggling with their emotions.

If you are a man, be open about your own emotions. Let your sons, brothers and friends see that it's okay to cry. Crying doesn't make you weak or less of a man.

As women, we often crave emotional connection in our partners, if you want a husband who can be vulnerable and open with you, you have to show him that you accept his emotions, including his tears. Let's be honest, who wants to share a bed with a stoic statue (I can't even dream about it). So, it's okay if he comes to you a little shaky and teary eyed. I mean, while consoling him you can start a little bit of fore play with that -you didn't hear that from me🌚-

That will be it for now, my jolly friends. I don't know whether to start a thread of unpopular opinions. If you'd like that, kindly vote on what you would want to be your next issue….

Till next time…

Your anonymous bestie

Ree🤍