Sensitive Men – Beyond Myths
Stillness in the Storm, Sept. 26, 2019
httpss://stillnessinthestorm.com/2019/09/sensitive-men-beyond-myths/
Men, like women, are sensitive. Thus, male sensibility is quite normal. Thanks to it, they can accept new perspectives and establish new connections with themselves, others, and nature.
The world is full of myths related to sensitive men. This is why it’s a topic of great interest to many people, a topic we’re now seeing from a different perspective.
Now, before we continue, we’d like to clarify that we don’t intend to get into a debate on cultural relativism, especially regarding what the most accepted stereotypes in every culture are. What we intend to do is highlight the current transformation of masculinity regarding its social construct.
In recent years, masculinity has become progressively associated with sensitivity in some ways. This is a departure from many myths held by some Western cultures. After all, sensitivity is characteristic of all living beings. Thus, when a man doesn’t recognize and accept it as his own, he doesn’t fully own his masculinity.
In this article, we talk about male sensibility and go beyond the myths and misconceptions in order to find a new perspective on the description of masculinity. At the same time, we’ll review some common beliefs.
What are sensitive men?
The Oxford Dictionary defines sensitivity as “the ability to understand people’s feelings”. But what are sensitive men?
The answer to this question is the same as the definition above. Everyone has the capacity for empathy and we all understand people’s feelings. However, men were deprived of this faculty in the context of certain beliefs in many cultures. According to them, masculinity and strength don’t mix with the world of sensitivity and emotions.
Because of this, men have had the role of protectors throughout history due to their own force and regardless of the environment in which they grew up. For example, in various cultures, men also get credit for an identity in which sexuality and money play a fundamental role as symbols of power. Thus, a man who shows his feelings is considered weak.
The novelty is that there’s an important change in some cultures in this regard. More and more men are coming to terms with their own sensibility and allowing themselves to be emotional and affectionate. This is only possible when they can embrace their sensitivity and transform any feelings of insecurity they might have into empowerment.
Of course, sensitivity is as old as dirt. It’s an innate aspect of any being, regardless of their gender or species. We feel to protect ourselves, to survive. The problem started when sensitivity was ascribed only to women in various cultural contexts.
Macho vs. sensitive men
Some phrases that become mandates when used in children’s upbringing. These phrases definitely shaped our identity. They obviously led to existential problems because they’re not true. Thus, they’re either half-truths or based on erroneous grounds.
For example, expressions such as “Men don’t cry”, “Dolls are for girls”, “You cry like a woman”, “Women aren’t attracted to good men, they prefer bad boys”, or “Men don’t change diapers” are all examples of such myths. These phrases encourage men to stray from their emotional side.
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