spontaneously in the midst
of a heated discussion.
We need space and time to
figure out what is
happening, both within
our own self and with our
beloved.
Men have been
discouraged from feeling
emotional. We have been
mocked, attacked, and
belittled when showing
emotions. Big boys don’t
cry, toughen up, and bite
the bullet are all phrases
men grow up with. So
when we are faced with
emotional situations, we
are total novices.
The biggest harm that is
not recognized or
appreciated for the depth
of damage that it causes at
the emotional level to a
man is that men are
Joy feelings magazine
expected to be tough, to
protect, and kill to defend
their family. Violence, and
the expectation of
violence, mandates an
absence of emotional
sensitivity.
It is a double standard to
expect a man to be
emotionally available and
to have him be able to
harm another human
being.
Have compassion and
understand the kind of
conundrum that a man
faces when being
emotional vulnerable and
awakening to deeper
sensitivities. It is rare
enough to find a man who
wants to delve within and
unleash his inner passion.
It doesn’t mean that he is
going to be masterful at it.
For men to be comfortable
in their own skin and