In the reading it very breifly talked about the struggles with men dealing with oppression in the fact that they have trouble expressing their feelings to others and crying. The reason given that they have trouble doing this is because to other men, (not necessarily females), they see that as a sign of weakness. It is an indication that the man crying cannot control his behavior and/or the situation that he is in. It shows a sign of vulnerability and passion, which "masculine" men are not suppose to have or show. I agree with the statement of how it is difficult for guys to show expression in public because of how other males will perceive you. But I do not think that males showing feeling should be considered weak. We have FEELings for a reason... and that is to FEEL them.
But there is also a certain place and a certain time to feel and show this type of emotion. There does need to be some sense of control with crying, which goes with everyone male and female. Crying over everything solves nothing.
Comments are welcome!
I completely agree with you! I am not very emotional and my sister-in-law always says, "are you sure you weren't suppose to be a boy?" I feel the same way when it comes to my feelings, that there is a time and place... but some don't like to share their emotions like others do. I sure don't, I would rather hold in my tears or anger and let it out when no one is around. So is that 'wrong' of me, as a women, and okay for men to do that? I do not think anyone should be judged on how they express themselves emotionally or physically for that matter, I think it is just our society looking for more ways to make men and women different.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post and comment; it's nice how you both notice the different ways that men and women can be constrained (socially) by issues around emotional display.
ReplyDeleteIn all my life I have only seen two males cry. The first one was my dad. One of my older sisters had done something terrible that made my dad so angry and disappointed and sad in her, that he cried. When I saw him crying, there was a sense of...shock. That my strong and serious dad would cry was something that I had never thought about. And when I saw him cry, I started to cry. There was a sense of emotional connection. His crying made him more of a human being to me rather than that superhero dad image I had of him.
ReplyDeleteThe second male I ever saw crying was a high school senior who was sobbing because his girlfriend dumped him. I hate to admit it, but when I a saw him crying, I thought he was pathetic. So I do have some prejudices about guys who cry, but I think its because in all my 19 years, I haven't really seen any males cry that was not injury related.
crying solves nothing. I use to have a boyfriend that would constantly cry and it was just so annoying and it just pushed me away from him, which lead us to break up in the end but it was obviously for the best.
ReplyDeleteEven when I cry I don't do it in front of people or announce it over the world of facebook like everyone else... does.