We hear much about the pressures placed on women. But what about men? Men are put under as much pressure as women to play a certain role and meet certain expectations. This includes providing for the families, which may be one of the primary responsibilities placed on men these days. Such pressure can really be overwhelming, since not providing according to expectations would make a man feel inadequate.

Men also have societal expectations that may be unhealthy. For instance, men are encouraged to bottle their emotions, which means they are tough with no weaknesses. This contributes to bottled-up feelings, mental health problems, and the inability to form healthy relationships.

This is not to forget that men are humans with the full range of feelings and needs, defining the state of being a human. Just like women, they too deserve the treatment beyond a mere provider or stereotype roles. We can make the world better for men by:
Challenging Stereotypes of a Man: We should open up what it means to be masculine and what it takes to be a man. Let’s discard this notion of being an unfeeling tough man.

Encourage emotional expression: Make him feel that he can express himself at any moment, irrespective of whether it’s happy, sad, or angry. Make them learn to seek assistance when needed.

Shared household chores: Household chores and childcare have to be shared equitably. This makes the man a good partner and capable of performing many traditionally feminine tasks.

Listen and show compassion: When men share about their struggles, listen to them without judgment and comfort him. Show that you understand and care.

This way we will succeed in building a more compassionate world with men heard, visible, and accepted. Every one needs to be seen, heard, and accepted for who they are. Let’s begin with working on helping men achieve great things, as do women.