THE NEGLECTED SHEEP

Many at times we look at the problems facing the Girl child but rarely look at our boy child. What are the challenges that men face from childhood to adulthood. What have we done as the society to help them?

Growing up, the boy child, more often than not is compared to a lion or a male cork. Even when the small boy falls down he rarely receives a sorry from his parents and people around him. They are expected to be “hard”.

In our society today, we forget that males are humans too they have feelings too. We assume that the male gender can face any situation by themselves.

Criticism is another thing that the males undergo. We mock and throw stones when they mess up not remembering “Let the one that’s sinless be the first to cast a stone”. Criticism is good but when it constantly is negative and from both women and men(attacking fellow men), then it gets really draining.

Parental Control.

In (some) cases, men want the autonomy to make certain decisions such as the girl to marry, where to live, when to leave a certain job etc but parents tend to interfere with the notion that “they know what is best for their kids”. It’s in the nature of a man to want and need space to do whatever they want not being controlled by anyone.

No room to express their feelings. Many at times men are faced with difficult situations mostly financially and mentally. Sometimes their social behavior could want someone to advice them but there isn’t room for that. This mostly drags most of them into depression and overthinking that can damage their mental health.

Women’s view of how men are. Women and the society in general have the assumption that men are made of steel and that they can handle any situation or problems that comes their way. And that’s where we go wrong.

In the past, our society that was male-chauvinistic was hell-bent towards the empowerment of men and so there arose movements such as “UNHCR”, “The Feminists” movement to fight for equal rights and opportunities for both genders.

These movements served their purpose until a time when women have now gained the spotlight, the world and all these movements have fought really hard to eradicate male chauvinism and create a world where both genders are equal but to some degree this has only left the boy-child in the shadows as the fight for equal rights continues.

It’s difficult to say that we have achieved gender equality because now it’s like we are slowly replacing the patriarchal system with a matriarchal system. Feminism which was a good movement aimed at bringing an equilibrium in both genders rights is now a venomous and toxic movement which I feel like isn’t aiming to fight for equal rights only but also to put women on a higher level than men in terms of opportunities. Feminism fights for equal rights and opportunities but not for equal responsibilities.

An interviewee had these sentiments.

I’m allowed to be emotional and cry whenever and no one will judge me for that but when a man cries, he’s weak? We judge them and mock them. We don’t listen to them but laugh at them.

What can we do to make the society a better place for our sons Brothers uncles and fathers.

Initiatives to empower the young male generations would help them. Teaching them how to be in touch with their emotions and creating an environment where they can safely do this.

Mental health campaigns /institutions which are men friendly would help them.

Be friendly to the boy child around you. Whether family or not, show love to them don’t make life difficult for them. Let’s not underestimate, mock, disrespect them. Let us make the world a better place for them.

Normalize checking up on your male friends; these people need love, someone to talk to. Be a supportive friend not a laughing friend.