This International Men's Day, Let's Take the First Step to Break Stereotypes
International Men’s Day which is celebrated on 19th November every year is to raise awareness about the health of men and boys, gender equality, and other issues being faced by men and boys. While we are living in an era, where the wave of feminism has taken over the world, very few people are actually aware of the fight for gender equality and feminism.
On International Men’s Day, let’s discuss the issues faced by men and boys due to stereotypes:
Toxic Masculinity:
Men and boys are being constantly being subjected to follow a pattern and prove their masculinity, especially the way Bollywood protagonists have been playing since time immemorial. For example, a boy should not cry, he should always protect women and girls, he should be muscular and dominate other genders, and many such superficial things to prove manhood.
We need to keep our men and boys away from this toxic masculinity because they are human beings first and human beings have the ability to feel all kinds of emotions and express their feelings the way they want to rather than following any false criteria that are being imposed on them in the name of movies, family traditions, and what not.
Mental Health:
Speaking about mental health has been taboo for both men and women. In the 21st century, we need to support both men and women to speak about their mental health. Like any other physical disease, men and boys are free to address the issue of their mental health.
In many families, men are the sole bread earners and women are pushed to do only household chores. However, when a family is facing mental issues from the men’s side, women should be encouraged to study and work just like men. And men can take rest or sabbatical breaks for their mental well-being.
Gender Roles:
Indians are known for pushing boys to follow only gender roles like picking up a career in engineering, medicine, the army, and other corporate jobs. The men and boys who often pick out of the specific roles assigned to them are demoralized and forced to follow other career paths.
Let us encourage our boys and men to pick their hobbies, and passions and follow the career path they feel they can invest their heart and soul in rather than those gender-specific roles. Boys and men can be chefs, fashion designers, dancers, singers, air hosts, nurses, and nannies if they please to be one.
This International Men’s Day, let’s help men and boys live a peaceful life like normal human beings and not make them victims of our expectations or toxic masculinity.
