Saturday, February 08, 2025

Opinion

Empowering Men: The forgotten half of gender equality

The idea is not to diminish women’s struggles or victories but to acknowledge that men, too, face societal pressures, stereotypes, and mental health challenges that deserve attention.

By Bhavna Batra

info@thearabianstories.com

Friday, December 27, 2024

In the age of progressive gender conversations, “empowerment” has largely become synonymous with women. While women empowerment is critical to addressing centuries of inequality, the narrative often overlooks an equally important aspect—men empowerment. The idea is not to diminish women’s struggles or victories but to acknowledge that men, too, face societal pressures, stereotypes, and mental health challenges that deserve attention.

The Overlooked Struggles of Men

Society places men under immense pressure to conform to traditional ideas of masculinity. From childhood, boys are told to “man up,” hide their emotions, and carry the burden of being the primary provider. Vulnerability is often seen as a weakness in men, leading many to suppress their emotions. Mental health statistics reveal the impact of these stigmas: men are disproportionately affected by suicide rates, with studies showing that societal expectations often prevent them from seeking help.

Moreover, the modern discourse around gender equality sometimes paints men as oppressors, ignoring the fact that many men also suffer from systemic inequalities. Issues like toxic masculinity, body image struggles, unfair custody battles, workplace stress, and the stigma around male victims of abuse remain under-addressed in empowerment conversations.

Are Men Not Human Too?

The popular narrative often portrays men as devoid of emotions or struggles. However, men are just as human as women. They experience heartbreak, failure, and societal rejection. Yet, they rarely have safe spaces to express these feelings without being judged.

Movements like women empowerment have been transformative in changing perceptions about women’s roles and capabilities, but it’s worth questioning: why has the discussion about men lagged behind? Is empowering one gender inherently tied to neglecting the other? The truth is, true gender equality is not a zero-sum game.

Men Empowerment: What Does It Look Like?

Empowering men doesn’t mean overshadowing women; it means creating a balanced world where both genders thrive equally. Here are a few areas where men empowerment can take shape:

  • Breaking Stereotypes

Men should be encouraged to express their emotions, pursue non-traditional careers, and embrace roles that are often labeled as feminine, such as caregiving. Changing the narrative of what it means to be “masculine” is essential.

  • Mental Health Support

Awareness campaigns and resources should target men’s mental health, emphasizing that seeking help is not a sign of weakness. This involves reshaping societal attitudes to normalize vulnerability in men.

  • Addressing Gender-Specific Issues

From tackling the stigma around male victims of abuse to ensuring fair workplace policies and representation, addressing men’s unique challenges is crucial.

  • Building Safe Spaces

Just as women have platforms to discuss their struggles, men, too, need forums to share their experiences without fear of ridicule or judgment.

A Balanced Approach to Empowerment

Empowerment is not a competition. Women empowerment and men empowerment can coexist, fostering mutual respect and understanding between genders. By addressing men’s issues, we are not taking away from the progress made for women but contributing to a healthier, more inclusive society.

The call for men empowerment is not about asking for more privileges; it’s about equity, understanding, and compassion. Just as women have fought for decades to be seen, heard, and valued, men, too, deserve the same recognition for their struggles and humanity.

Closing Thoughts

Men are not immune to pain, nor should the be expected to be. A balanced world requires that both men and women are given the tools to navigate life’s challenges without the weight of unfair expectations. Empowering men doesn’t mean shifting focus away from women; it means acknowledging that everyone, regardless of gender, deserves the opportunity to live their truth, free from judgment and bias.After all, MEN ARE HUMANS WITH FEELINGS. Let’s not forget that.

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