My childhood hero weeping
A couple of British media sources have been running articles lately related to masculinity. One of them is from the BBC and is a list of 10 things that make men weep in public. I’ve been interested in this for years. I am so curious about how it is often the most macho of public figures that are unpunished for crying.
For example, professional athletes are often seen crying on or off the sports field. But when I do work with young men they almost always tell me it is not okay to cry in front of their peers. The only reason I can think of to explain this is that the athletes have already proven their manhood in other ways so the crying doesn’t damage their image in the same way it might for a struggling teenager.
What do people think of this and the BBC list?
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one comment
I love the Free to Be You and Me Album's song about male crying. Why can sports star's cry? All part of the societal myth that their struggles are epic strength test / displays and deeply male. Crying about struggle which are inner and therefore not so obviously on display is another ball game, so to speak.
Posted by Myra
August 6, 2008, 10:17 PM
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