bell hooks asserts that the only emotion men are empowered to express in patriarchal culture is anger. Boys are not encouraged to feel and express a range of emotions, and are often told that fear, sadness, insecurity, or loneliness are signs of weakness and “unmanly.” As a result, many men grow up not knowing how to express their emotions, how to talk openly about their feelings, and do not seek professional support or mental health services. This article outlines many of the damaging ways traditional male socialization stigmatizes mental health, and discusses what we can all do to better supportmen and boys to become well-rounded emotional people.
– Brett Goldberg
Read the article via Everyday Feminism.
