Men:- Silent, strong and unexpressive ?

I think the fact that men are more strong than their female counterparts has largely been instilled in us this thing. And if you allow me to modify, I would say, men can show their emotions but he should be wise enough to understand when and where to do so. They,( and women as well) just cannot get away with their emotions in any and every place. Can they? Our society is still largely patriarchal and we have been brought up watching our fathers and forefathers taking up the rein in their hands and controlling the proceedings of the house. In most cases then and in some cases even now, women were not disclosed about the men's occupation and remuneration and stuff like that. The point is we are made to believe in that way even before we could perceive anything. Men are strong, men are the masters and this is still so pertinent in our society. Now, however, things are changing. With more and more women running the edge with men, i think the disparity is narrowing down rapidly. Now as we can question our male counterpart we are also learning to accept them with their emotions. So, if a man cries it would mean that he is a hurt human and not only a hurt man! Generally speaking, I would rather not want to see any normal man or woman for that matter to go exuberant with his/her extreme emotions. Even though it's perfectly OK but we must have ensure proper civic decorum when and if in public places. Even if he wants to cry he can cry, rant or do whatever but in a more apt ambiance. And ofcourse men can express their emotions as much as women can do. Personally, I do not have any problem with that and that doesn't or does make a man insecure or unmanly. I would rather want my man to shred off his inhibition and express his emotions (to me alone though) more often. That would make both of us more strong and secure. Hope that made sense. smiles...

Well given the facts that you provided, yes I think it can be considered unmanly in the cowboy sense, but it shouldn't be unacceptable to society and neither should it be called being insecure. Having the inability to express your emotions is a bad illness to have and it also inhibits other persons to know if you need them in your life. I'm glad I'm not raised in the cowboy way when it comes to my emotion because if I was I wouldn't be able to have a long and beneficial relationship with my dimsum. Though some may view me as weak for being able to express my feelings openly, I look at it as they only envy what I have in my life.

Funnily enough there was a show on last night on cable here called "Extreme Makeover" where a new house was built for a family living on the plains somewhere in the US. The Father of the family was a cowboy through and through and he was crying openly on camera when he saw what had built for him and his family. He said "a real cowboy can cry if he so chooses to!" (Seriously! It is bizarre that your topic is so relevant to a show I watched last night in EGYPT of all places! lol) It is not a sign of insecurity or weakness for a man to show emotions but there is of course a time and a place. Anyone that would look at a man crying as weakness has issues themselves as far as I am concerned. It takes a bigger man to freely express themselves in this way than to always put on a brave face.

I think there is no harm, if a man expresses his emotions, for example if he cries when some mishap takes place, I do not think anything is wrong in it, afterall he is also a human being. Crying does help brining out pent up emotions and gives a kind of satisfaction. But you are right, men are taught since childhood in such a manner that they feel scared to come out with their emotions in public.

Well, when one says "man" this is usually the image that one gets in mind. Men who act like girls, freely expressing themselves, usually have a lot of problems with the society - esp if their behaviour resemble girls too much. Personally, i like to be the unexpressive type, and i search for likewise in other men. Men of fewer words are wiser, and i find it all too true. However, "unexpressive" isnt what i really have in mind. More like "controlling your experessions" suit it better. The former may end up making you a silent and errie type, and make it seem like you have built a wall around yourself - and that's not good. However, being able to control your expressions, may create a fake mask, but the present society does demand it.

I think men should express whatever they are feeling the same as woman should control a bit more! I think is not a problem at all a man that show his feelings!

Nope - I will not evaluate or rate men who express their emotions more openly as insecure or unmanly. My husband is very good at expressing his emotions and so are the some of the men in my church including my pastor. They are secure, manly and takes the role as head of their house who loves and proved for the family.