Part Five - Embracing Vulnerability in Men

Manhood and Masculinity Blog Posts Series

For many men, life can seem like a burden. After all, we're often expected to be the breadwinners while also fulfilling our day-to-day responsibilities and obligations. On top of that, with modern media constantly bombarding us with visuals of perfection and success, it can feel overwhelming (and sometimes impossible) to try and measure up. But not having a life isn't a foregone conclusion - there are ways we can proactively work towards achieving our goals for ourselves in order to have an overall more meaningful existence. In this blog posts series, I'm going to explore the advantages and disadvantages of the traditional model of "masculinity," why most men don't have a life, and provide practical advice on how modern men can be the best version of themselves, both as individuals and in their relationships with others.

See Part One - Most men don’t have a life here

See Part Two - Get your relationship with your father on the right track today

See Part Three - The benefits of having real male friendships

See Part Four - Rekindling a connection to nature

Embracing Vulnerability in Men 

It is no secret that men are often seen as the strong, stoic gender. They are expected to be tough, emotionless, and not show any signs of vulnerability. This outdated attitude towards men and their emotions has been slowly shifting over the years, but there is still a long way to go before true change can be achieved. 

For too long men have been taught to repress their emotions and never be vulnerable. It’s an idea that needs to be put to rest. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable is not a sign of weakness or inferiority but in fact, a demonstration of strength, as it takes courage to open up and express your feelings. Showing vulnerability can help form stronger relationships with those around you; when someone feels seen and heard, it encourages more open communication and deeper understanding within the relationship. Expressing emotions allows us to release stress, sadness, and other negative feelings that can otherwise stay bottled up inside us, so allowing yourself to cry doesn't make you any less of a man but actually helps make you more emotionally healthy.

Let's explore why it's important for men to be vulnerable, cry and have feelings. 

The first step in dismantling this harmful belief is understanding that men are just as capable of feeling emotions as women are. Allowing ourselves to cry when we feel overwhelmed or sad is not a sign of weakness; rather, it's a sign of strength and resilience. Crying can help relieve stress, provide an outlet for emotions that can't always be expressed with words, and build stronger bonds between friends and family. It also lets people know that they aren't alone in their struggles — something especially important during times of difficulty or loss. 

Another key benefit to allowing men to express vulnerability is that it helps create a healthier society overall. When men feel comfortable being open about their feelings, they can create more meaningful relationships with those around them — both romantic partners and close friends alike — which leads to better communication and understanding among all genders. Furthermore, having conversations about these topics encourages others to do the same; it normalizes talking about mental health issues like depression or anxiety instead of sweeping them under the rug out of fear or embarrassment. 

Finally, embracing vulnerability can allow for greater self-awareness amongst men in terms of our own mental health needs. By recognizing that it’s okay to talk about how we’re feeling without worrying about appearing weak or being judged by others, we can become more aware of when we need help from professionals such as therapists or psychiatrists if needed. This ultimately leads to better overall mental health outcomes for everyone involved — not just us but our family members as well who may have been affected by our struggles silently up until now. 

Allowing yourself (and other men) the space to express their emotions is essential for creating a healthier society overall — one where everyone feels safe enough to talk openly about their feelings without fear of judgment or ridicule. By acknowledging that all genders have feelings, we can begin dismantling outdated beliefs around what constitutes "manliness." We must continue pushing forward conversations surrounding why it's important for men to embrace vulnerability so we can create a truly equitable world where all genders feel supported in expressing themselves authentically and openly without the shame or stigma attached.

Being vulnerable helps men express their true and authentic selves, which in turn can lead to improved manhood and masculinity. Despite stereotypes of what it means to be a man, allowing oneself to be vulnerable encourages self-reflection and the growth of self-awareness. It allows men to explore their identity and who they are beyond the macho archetype, modeling trust, respect, and empathy which can serve as aspirational traits for other men. Embracing vulnerability—and the difficult conversations that come with it—leads to a greater understanding of the human experience overall.

In part six and last of this blog series, we will see that when we stop trying to prove ourselves and start living as men, not only will this enrich our everyday lives - it also reinforces what being a man really means in today's world.