This article stems from me spending time browsing through the comment threads of articles I have posted, that contain (as most do) some degree of insight into my feelings, worries and emotions.
When I sit back and mentally collate any common themes or recurring thoughts in the responses, one quite concerning opinion has become very apparent.
Although very supportive and humbling, numerous comments express gratitude and praise for my seemingly rare ability (for a male) to have deep, meaningful, self analytical thoughts and feelings.
And as much as I like praise being heaped on me like any other person, this also pisses me off.
At what stage in human evolution did it become majority opinion that men don’t think beyond the practical and basic? Why is it assumed that we don’t have fears, worries, emotional issues, self-esteem problems? That we don’t stress and lay awake at night wondering if we are doing life right?
This very issue is a cornerstone of the disturbing and growing problem of mens mental illness in our beautiful country.
It is a paradoxical world that the modern man traverses today. We have been raised to be tough, to not bare our hearts, to be resilient and strong at all costs. But we also now live in an age where it is expected that we be in touch with our emotions, that we speak our honest minds, be open and real.
And this is unfortunately perpetuated, albeit between the lines most of the time, by both the male and female of the species. Us males shoot ourselves in the foot at any given chance by acting and speaking like the Neanderthals we are trying to distance ourselves from, but ask most women what goes on in a man’s head and they’ll likely respond with “sex, beer and sport” or something similar. Which in women’s defence we perpetuate as not to appear un-manly. Add to this mass media and how “men” are portrayed and we find ourselves trying to emulate a ridiculous archaic stereotype that only Hollywood could make work. Which simply isn’t possible.
Believe it or not, and back me up here fellow men reading along, but as I mentioned earlier, we too over think everything. We worry, stress, self-loathe, self criticise, fear things and have self confidence issues up there with the best of them. And yes, we even struggle with our emotions. We get sad. We get angry. We get irritated and lash out. We cry, panic and get anxious. We experience everything that women do.
Male, female. We are all human beings. We are not that different yet very different in so many ways.
In my opinion a most glaring difference is our fear of talking, being, acting and behaving true to our nature.
I for one am superbly guilty of this. Catch up with me for a chat and you’ll find someone that speaks and acts vastly different to the words I write. I can’t help it. I’m not wired to talk face to face about my feelings and emotions. Or maybe I simply can’t break free of my assumed social expectation of what a man should be. I’ve tried, but I am always incredibly uncomfortable in doing so. What’s more, I firmly believe that I am pretty indicative of the average Aussie bloke. Scary to think isn’t it. So many guys unable to express themselves adequately in person.
What are we to do? Is it right to deny our true selves and permanently act like all we care about is getting pissed and watching the footy while shagging and eating pizza? Or do we bow to our neurotic tendencies and all become that whining cry baby soft cock we fear being known as above all else?
There is a middle ground I know, but a large part of the problem is expectation. Self and social. What the hell do we, and everyone, want from us?
Now I realise that I am drawing pretty broad strokes here so there’s no need for any tirades of abuse. My intention is to bring attention (sounds like a sweet start to a rap song!) to the unconscious, ingrained pattern of stereotyping what it means to be a man.
I know there is concerted effort in the community aimed at breaking down these stereotypes, but unless we all make a personal mental shift, it basically amounts to fuck all.
It’s not about us guys all getting together, drinking chai, having group hugs, crying and howling at the moon (although that might work for some). It’s not about “empowering” men to feel ok about being open about themselves. It’s about changing our core beliefs, both women and men, from one of assumption and judgement, to one of acceptance and compassion.
We are all in this together. We are all conscious beings who are fumbling our way through this finite life trying to do the best we can. We all experience the same pressures, feelings and emotions.
And the best thing we can all do to help, is to simply remember this.
✌️
21 comments
Expressed perfectly.
Well bloody said Chris.
Well said Chris….raising two young boys, this is always at the forefront of my mind!
We need our boys to grow up knowing it’s ok to not only talk openly, but to feel the feelings in the first place 🙂
Many men don’t openly talk about their fears and stresses and it’s a nice relief that you do it so openly.
Exactly my point Janet. It’s the why many men don’t feel comfortable that needs to be addressed, and I really believe it’s a core belief of both meb and women that nee’s to change first 🙂
Just A Dad I look at the men in my family and I see the difficulty they have. I know hardly anything about my Dad’s father etc because it is obviously difficult for him so it is just brushed off.
As someone who has had depression for longer than I have been without it, I can understand how hard it is to be vulnerable and honest. However I can honestly say that the relief and strength you have once you do open up is life changing.
If the old “man up” attitudes that leave a lot of men struggling between something they feel they have to be and something they want to be. It’s great to see a shift even if it is small, it means there is hope for my son to grow in an environment that embraces the individual not the stereotype
Superb!
Nothing more wonderful than an emotionally intelligent man
Really? Lol
?
I was going to say, but you said it already! 😀 “that most glaring difference is our fear of talking, being, acting and behaving true to our nature.” and you pretty much said everything else that needs to be said. The only thing I can add is that somehow….somehow a way needs to be found/created for men to be able to speak how they write, like you write. <3 Thank you for being you xx
Thanks Kate 🙂 I’m hoping that by writing this blog, other guys might be inspired or reach out with their own words..
I know <3 🙂 I hope they do too.
Brilliant Chris. I had to share this mate.
Excellent mate, share away 🙂
Very well said… it would be wonderful to see men open up more and show that softer side. I am trying to instill it in my boys its ok to cry. I for one would love to see this side to men more.
http://edition.cnn.com/2017/09/28/health/sweden-gender-neutral-preschool/index.html

The part about how we respond is interesting
Very interesting
Great piece