| 7/22/2008 11:27:04 AM | I just do not understand | |
desertlynx
Clarksville, TN
age: 51
| Why is it that men, and please do not beat me up I know it is not all men, but that men have such a hard time showing emotions? I guess I am mostly talking about emotional hurt or pain. Did we as mothers go wrong somewhere along the line and teach this to our sons?
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| 7/22/2008 11:42:05 AM | I just do not understand | |
tumbleweed227
San Simon, AZ
age: 67
| Because we grew up being told & beleiving, emotions are sissy.
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| 7/22/2008 11:42:22 AM | I just do not understand | |
bones01
Bluewater, NM
age: 59
| Desert, it starts when we are young with "Don't cry" it's just a skinned knee. Later on it's "Buck up" and be a man. The emotions are here, we just suppress them sometimes. The last time I really showed my emotions I was pretty much shot down, but I'll be able to show them again when the time is right. Us guys are human. It's just that sometimes a gal is stuck having to read between the lines. Sorry, but that's just the way it is...
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| 7/22/2008 11:42:43 AM | I just do not understand | |
layla22
Peoria, IL
age: 54
| interesting thread, lynx .
wonder if any of the men care to share their feelings on this? 
edited to add: tumble and bones got there before my post did!
[Edited 7/22/2008 11:43:29 AM]
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| 7/22/2008 11:46:07 AM | I just do not understand | |
weaimtoplease
Donalsonville, GA
age: 59 online now!
| Great thread; I only hope that other men will post!
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| 7/22/2008 11:48:54 AM | I just do not understand | |
desertlynx
Clarksville, TN
age: 51
| Tumble and Bones thank you for sharing! I really hope others will do the same. I have a friend who right now is going through some sh*t that I would never want to go through. It is eating him alive and yet he has not broken. I am just aftaid that when he does it will be really bad. I am just trying to find a way to help get him through this.
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| 7/22/2008 11:49:54 AM | I just do not understand | |
huskertomboy
Hiawatha, KS
age: 51 online now!
| Men have the same feelings and emotions as we do. The men of our generation I believe were just taught from an early age to suppress them. Buck up,be a man, that sort of thing. I raised my son allowing him to shed a tear if needed. To voice hurt if it was there emotionally or physically. Did that make him any less of a man? He is 29 now and risking his life everyday on some mountain in Afghanistan so I believe that says all. Like some said, sometimes we have to read between the lines. And with enough trust and caring I believe they will show those emotions... 
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| 7/22/2008 11:53:23 AM | I just do not understand | |
mskitty57
Tucson, AZ
age: 58
| I can usually tell when a man is upset or whatever. It shows in other ways.
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| 7/22/2008 11:54:03 AM | I just do not understand | |
daddydeep
Walterboro, SC
age: 66
| Well Ladies, I for one have no trouble at all showing emotion, The only time I never show them is when it is something close to me and a clear head and mind must prevail.
As for in general, I tear up at stories of courage and determination, sadness, loss, anything animals, and stories about kids.
That in no way diminishes my maleness or the fact that in the past I was a different man, but I do not have horror stories about that time either. I am a true Capricorn and will prevail, I know that and just stay the course, the sad things will correct themselves. 
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| 7/22/2008 12:00:33 PM | I just do not understand | |
littletree1
Tampa, FL
age: 56
| Desert, it starts when we are young with "Don't cry" it's just a skinned knee. Later on it's "Buck up" and be a man. The emotions are here, we just suppress them sometimes. The last time I really showed my emotions I was pretty much shot down, but I'll be able to show them again when the time is right. Us guys are human. It's just that sometimes a gal is stuck having to read between the lines. Sorry, but that's just the way it is...
I do think that ironically as a man ages he is a little more comfortable showing his emotions. And I think men today in general, especially the younger ones have an easier time due to the fact that the stigma attached to you gotta be tough little boy has somewhat been removed from childrearing.
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| 7/22/2008 12:03:14 PM | I just do not understand | |
tucktail
New Smyrna Beach, FL
age: 50
| I show emotions! Matter of fact I'm tearing up now....anyone have a tissue!
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| 7/22/2008 12:06:32 PM | I just do not understand | |
tumbleweed227
San Simon, AZ
age: 67
| We start learning, when we are toddlers. My mother allowed me to have & play with dolls.
As a man I was able to care for babies. Mine and others. I have always been trusted with anyones baby. And I'm very good at it. I'm able to do all that needs to be done.
Until, that is they become "smart" teenagers. Then I'm lost.
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| 7/22/2008 12:09:40 PM | I just do not understand | |
woody59
Plymouth, IN
age: 61
| I was brought up with my dad working a lot so my mother(God rest her soul) told me a man knows he is a man and it is ok to cry! So I am kind of like daddydeep I cry when i see a sad movie, and if I see somone hurt (especially a kid)I am not afraid to show my emotions thanks to my mom! I am 6'11" and 300 lbs and not afraid of anyone, but not to big to cry and show emotions and have taught my son and grandsons to be the same! I see most of my Grandsons usually daily and they come in where I have coffee in the evenings and before they leave they always (regardless who is there) will say out loud " I love You grandpa" and I tell them I Love them. nothing wrong with that!! Everyone handles thing differently, and desert I think when the time is right he will show his emotions and this shows what a true friend you are, by being concerned for him
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| 7/22/2008 12:10:18 PM | I just do not understand | |
teoc
Bedford, IN
age: 65
| I posted this elsewhere but it applies here. I tear up watching a beautiful ice skaing routine ..or Sarah Brightman or Pavoratti singing. Not unmanly at all. But I too was taught early on to suck it up and not show emotion.
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| 7/22/2008 12:10:42 PM | I just do not understand | |
swifteagle
Elk City, OK
age: 64
| For me, I have my moments when emotions sweep over me, but they are normally in my private quiet times with only my closest confidantes. Men are taught to be tough in early years, that is true. Beyond that men are forced to be calmer under fire and more logically oriented by professions as well as in private lives. They have traditionally been seen as bread-winners, head of the household, etc. Women have always been more open with their emotions with traditional roles as homemaker, mother, caretakers of hearth and home, etc. I think it is a conditioning over hundreds of years and not so much something that we consciously do. It is definitely not something mothers intentionally train your sons to be this way.
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