Why Do Men Hide Their Feelings? 4 Tips To Handle Men Who Refuse To Express Emotions!
It's all thanks to conditioning!
In the patriarchal society that we live in, men are told to be “strong” and unemotional. For the longest time, men have been told that emotions = weakness. And that’s also why they hide away their feelings which makes it extremely tough to be in a relationship with a man who refuses to be emotional or vulnerable because they’ve been taught to repress their feelings.
Why Do Men Hide Their Feelings?
Emotions and feelings are associated with femininity and weakness which in turn makes men feel afraid of expressing how they feel for fear of coming across as weak or rather less “macho”. Mental health counsellor and founder of Enso Wellness, Arouba Kabir says that men don’t open up due to the fear of being judged, lack of trust, cultural norms as well as due to difficulty in identifying emotions. So, how should one handle men who refuse to open up and share their feelings? Arouba Kabir shares tips.
How to Handle Men Who Are Less Likely to Talk About Their Feelings!
1. Create A Safe Space
According to the mental health expert, men may feel comfortable talking about their emotions if they feel that they’re in a safe space where there is no judgement and this requires people to listen actively without any judgement. She suggests it’s best to avoid interrupting them and acknowledge their feelings and emotions.
2. Encourage Them To Seek Help
The best way to go about it is to encourage men to seek professional help. It’s not uncommon for men to be reluctant to seek help from a therapist or a counsellor. However, they may feel more comfortable opening up before a trained professional as opposed to opening up to their family or friends.
Also read: Do Celebrities Owe Fans An Explanation After Their Break Ups Or Divorces? We Think Not
3. Be Understanding And Patient
Patience is a virtue and it goes a long way in helping those around us. Men often take longer to open up and share their feelings. This is precisely why being patient and understanding is important, as per Arouba Kabir, as it may allow men the space they need to express themselves at their own pace.
4. Normalize Emotions
For the longest time, men have been told that being emotional is not normal. They’re also victims of patriarchy. This is why it’s essential to normalise emotions, promote emotional literacy and tell men that it’s okay to feel emotions and express them in a healthy manner. More so since it helps them cope with stress and build better and more healthy relationships.
Also Read: 5 Signs Your Partner Is Going To Break Up With You!
As women, we know what it’s like to be victims of the patriarchal society and it’s crucial that we understand that men too are victims. They have been conditioned to hide their emotions and feelings which makes it tough for them to open up. Instead of playing the blame game and pushing the envelope, try these simple tips to help your loved ones share their emotions and feelings in order to build healthier relationships.
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