For generations, the phrase “boys don’t cry” has echoed through households, classrooms, locker rooms, and even boardrooms. It’s a sentiment passed down like a rite of passage, a firm reminder that masculinity is best expressed through stoicism. But in a time where mental health awareness is gaining momentum and emotional intelligence is becoming more valued, one must ask: Should men cry?
The short answer is: yes. But let’s unpack that.
The myth of masculinity
Crying has long been labelled a sign of weakness, especially for men. It’s often viewed as incompatible with strength, leadership, or control. This belief, however, is rooted more in outdated gender roles than in truth. Society has conditioned men to bottle up emotions, to maintain a “stiff upper lip” even when facing immense stress or pain. But such emotional repression doesn’t make one stronger; if anything, it often leads to long-term psychological strain.
Suppressing emotion can contribute to depression, anxiety, anger issues, and even physical health problems. The statistics don’t lie. Men are significantly less likely to seek help for mental health issues, and tragically, suicide rates among men remain disproportionately high across the world.
Crying is human, not gendered
Tears are a natural response to emotion. Whether they come from sadness, frustration, joy, or grief, they are part of the human experience. To cry is to feel deeply, to connect with a moment, and to express what words sometimes cannot. Why then should this be seen as a flaw in men?
History and pop culture have slowly started to shift the narrative. From athletes shedding tears on the pitch to actors getting emotional on stage, the public is beginning to embrace vulnerability in male figures. And rightly so, vulnerability is not weakness. It is authenticity. It is strength in its rawest form.
Redefining strength
True strength lies in emotional honesty. A man who is in touch with his feelings, who can process and express them healthily, is no less masculine. Emotional expression often builds stronger relationships, creates space for empathy, and allows for healing.
It is high time we dismantle the notion that masculinity must be devoid of tears. Boys should grow up knowing it’s okay to cry, that expressing pain does not make them any less brave, or any less of a man.
A New Narrative
To answer the question: should men cry? Yes, absolutely. Men should cry when they are hurting, overwhelmed, grieving, or even overjoyed. The world does not need more emotionally detached men; it needs more emotionally intelligent humans.
The challenge lies in creating safe spaces for this to happen, in homes, in schools, in workplaces. It begins with conversation, with compassion, and with consciously changing the stories we tell our sons.
In embracing emotion, we don’t lose masculinity, we redefine it.