There's so much attached to the idea of being the 'perfect' man; it is your appearance, your physique, your ability to provide, and your ability to protect. A single crack in either one of those departments is unforgivable- in many ways this notion gave birth to the angry man, the ugly side of the 'perfect' man. I do see change happening, more men are open about their feelings nowadays but that image of perfection still dictates how men walk the earth. Thank you for writing this and for being vulnerable with all of us; there's so much here that I relate to!
It does seem like often it is men who are sabotaging other men, as if a spectrum of masculinity is not allowed to exist. I don't know why we chose all men everywhere to adhere to a single truth, with all other interpretations of masculinity forbidden, but I believe there is a weird and unnecessary struggle for 'what being a man really means' playing out both online and offline. Thank you for reading, and for your kind words. It helps when more men talk about our own struggles.
There's so much attached to the idea of being the 'perfect' man; it is your appearance, your physique, your ability to provide, and your ability to protect. A single crack in either one of those departments is unforgivable- in many ways this notion gave birth to the angry man, the ugly side of the 'perfect' man. I do see change happening, more men are open about their feelings nowadays but that image of perfection still dictates how men walk the earth. Thank you for writing this and for being vulnerable with all of us; there's so much here that I relate to!
It does seem like often it is men who are sabotaging other men, as if a spectrum of masculinity is not allowed to exist. I don't know why we chose all men everywhere to adhere to a single truth, with all other interpretations of masculinity forbidden, but I believe there is a weird and unnecessary struggle for 'what being a man really means' playing out both online and offline. Thank you for reading, and for your kind words. It helps when more men talk about our own struggles.