Let me begin with a clarification: there is no doubt that society is still overwhelmingly patriarchal and we have to do a lot of work before we reach true equality. However, it is also true that men have their own problems – and yes some of those problems are because they are men; because of the expectations society has of them. Also while there are awful men out there, a vast majority of guys are perfectly fine blokes: loving, caring, thoughtful, empathetic. It is for all those great guys – and the problems they have like everyone else on earth – that we observe International Men’s Day.
It is true that International Women’s Day gets a whole lot more attention than International Men’s Day.
However, men’s issues need attention too, which is why we have a special day for men.
While men have problems like every human being on earth, they are expected to ‘man-up’, not cry or complain, and to shoulder burdens of others as well.
Statistics show that men are more prone to suicide than women, but are less likely to ask for help.
This precise expectation of ‘manly’ men as ‘protectors’ who never ask for help, is a big part of the problem. The gender expectations that are so ingrained in our society hurt men as well as women.
Women were taking the time to reach out to all the great guys in their lives.
This is for all the men we love: a shout-out to the husbands, brothers, sons and friends – all the wonderful men who enrich our lives; who quietly go about loving and caring for us.
Apparently, International Men's Day was on 19th November and World Toilet Day was on the same day (what problems toilets could possibly have that need attention is beyond me.)
What is the significance of this?
…Were just happy to be wished
…To the men in uniform – who protect not only their own families, but the families of us all.
They feel that men should look and behave and feel like ‘men’ and disapprove of anything that veers from these set expectations.
Luckily, more people are coming around to the view that men (like women) should be allowed to do and be what they choose to be. The gender expectations that society and families have; which they force upon men are often at the root of the problems men experience.
Women wished all the men a Happy #InternationalMensDay. This may be a good day to take stock of the fact that men also suffer from gender expectations and that many of us tend to have unjust preconceived notions about men simply because they are men. If women are to achieve real equality one day, all this has to change. Until then, we can continue to wish each other on International Men’s Day and Women's Day.
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