If you’re wondering if it’s OK for men to cry, we’re here to reassure you that it is. Crying is a natural way to show emotion, and should not at all be stigmatized for men.
In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at why it’s alright for men to cry. We’ll also be looking at what you should do if you don’t feel comfortable crying.
Why it’s OK for Men to Cry
Crying is a completely natural response to a whole host of emotions. It’s normal to cry when experiencing something tragic, happy, or even deeply funny. This is why limiting your expression of emotion by actively refusing to cry is not a good idea.
This notion is linked to outdated concepts of what masculinity is. Traditionally, men were expected to be stoic, and unemotional. Today, however, these beliefs are widely recognized to be harmful.
To be the best version of yourself as a man, it’s important to be in tune with your emotions – not detached from them. Holding back tears doesn’t make you any more of a man. It just means you may be suppressing emotions instead of feeling them.
With this being said, if you’re not someone who naturally cries a lot – that’s ok too. It’s not always a genuine response. But, if you feel like you’d be less of a man if you did shed a tear, it’s important to think about why you feel this way.
What to Do If You Feel You Can’t Cry
If you feel like you can’t cry, your environment may be to blame.
It may be that you grew up hearing “boys don’t cry.” Or, maybe you have friends or family that you feel would judge you if you ever did cry.
Think about the last time you cried and why. Did you judge yourself for this, or feel ashamed of yourself? Do you find that you regularly push your emotions down? Does this response feel deeply ingrained in you?
Taking some time to think about how you process your emotions can help you get more in tune with yourself. If you find you’re having a hard time doing this by yourself, remember you’re not alone.
Consider opening up to a close friend or family member about this. Try to choose someone who you would feel comfortable being vulnerable with. But, what if you don’t feel like you have someone like this in your life? In this case, therapy can be a great space for working through your problems.
At the end of the day, getting more in touch with your emotions will help you live life to the fullest. This will make you the best version of yourself, and won’t make you any less of a man.
Conclusion
Men often feel like they can’t cry because of societal pressures and the environment around them. We want to remind you that it’s ok to cry. If you’re struggling with your emotions, talk to a friend, or consider therapy.
