Introduction

Throughout history, men have always been portrayed as the breadwinners of the family cell. Our forefathers were the physical force, while our foremothers were the backbone in maintaining the family cell. Nowadays, this stereotype is very prevalent in most societies, even though, in some cases, women are the breadwinners of their families. Beneath societal norms lies the silent voice of many men whose words remain unheard, unspoken, and unheeded.

Men’s Mental Health and Social Stigma

The month of June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month to sensitize people about the silent crisis that men face every day. It is worth mentioning that the suicide rate among men is four times higher than that of women, yet it remains underreported. Men have been socialized not to show their emotions, and if they do so, they are being labelled as “not being a typical man enough”, being called “gay,” or even being diminished in the eyes of women in some cases. When all these stigmas exist, how can you expect a man to express his emotions freely without the fear of being judged? Most men won’t open up to another man; they have been conditioned to face their problems by themselves, and seeking help is a sign of weakness. Every day, a man performs many roles like being a husband, father, son, son-in-law, uncle, colleague, friend, solopreneur, employee, and employer, to name it and in each role, a particular behavior is expected. For example, a father won’t cry in front of his son/daughter/wife when he feels overwhelmed, crying is a sign of weakness as per the societal norms and values.

The Weight of Expectations and Responsibilities

In addition, men need to show up every day, even if things are not rosy deep inside. Being the breadwinner is not an easy task; you need to provide for your family on a daily basis. Even though many women are working nowadays, the expectations on their husbands are nothing less; men need to provide financially, emotionally, and physically.

Hidden Struggles and Lack of Support

Depression among men is a real social problem; many suffer in silence, and they feel their emotional state is not taken into consideration by their partners, their co-workers, family members (brothers and sisters), and society at large. Furthermore, domestic violence against men remains behind closed doors and underreported. Many men are being brutalized by their partners physically, emotionally, and mentally-some have even lost their lives.

Conclusion

A man must stand up for another man. Opening up is not a sign of weakness but a way of expressing one’s own emotions. When a man is heard, the family cell becomes healthier – the father/son relationship changes in a positive way. The young boys will grow up into responsible beings, and society will evolve into better acceptance of men being vulnerable at different stages of their lives. After all, we are all human beings, and having different emotional states is normal.

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