What if 'man up' is one of the most damaging phrases we tell boys?
This week on Left of Midlife, we unpack how patriarchy doesn't just limit women - it cages men too. From emotional suppression and suicide rates to loneliness, economic pressure, fatherhood, and the rise of 'alpha male' culture, we explore how rigid masculinity harms everyone.
This isn't about blaming men. It's about questioning a system that tells them to dominate, provide, and never break - and redefining what real strength looks like.
Because strength without empathy is just fear in disguise.
Resources:
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - Call or text 988
Crisis Text Line - Text HOME to 741741
HeadsUpGuys - Evidence-based resources on depression in men.
https://headsupguys.org
Movember Foundation - Focus of men's mental health, suicide prevention, and connection
https://us.movember.com
The Fatherhood Project - Emotionally engaged fathering
https://www.fatherhoodproject.org
Zero to Three - Early childhood emotional development
https://www.zerotothree.org
Next Gen Men - Workshops and resources on masculinity and emotional intelligence
https://www.nextgenmen.ca
