Will B.

There has been a great deal of complaining about Gen Z and Millennials but there have been some good things to come out of these generations. Being a Gen X, we are known for working hard during the week and working just as hard at having fun on our weekends. We are tough as nails, grew up pre and post internet so we are tech savvy and we are very independent because most of us were latch key kids, meaning at a very young age we came home from school to an empty house and basically took care of ourselves till parents got home.

Now to the point, Gen Z and the Millennials made it ok for men to show emotions, there are many other good attributes to these two generations but breaking the boys don’t cry mantra was a big win.

I am not suggesting we go weeping in our post toasties at the drop of the hat but its ok for a man to cry on occasion when things have taken a turn for the worse, such as a loved one dying, maybe a divorce or break up or our team losing in the Superbowl, Ha! Just kidding about the last one of course.

Growing up, boys don’t cry was constantly repeated and it meant so much more than just tears falling from an eye, it meant we are supposed to be tough, not complain and suck it up when things turn south.

Men are born with emotions the same as women but are never allowed to show most of them simply because we are supposed to put up a tough front.

We owe a great deal to the two generations that made it ok for men to show a little emotion, as long as we don’t get carried away, no one wants to be around a man who whines, whimpers or cries constantly, but a cry every so often in the right circumstances is ok and even looked at by woman as something that shows strength to show weakness.

These days compassion, concern and love is commonplace even towards complete strangers for men.

This is a great thing because the Bible says Matthew 22:37-40 “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

This is Will B saying, next time someone dies or you have a traumatic event, be a strong enough man to cry if you need to.