Parent-child Relationships
When a girl cries when she’s receiving a shot at the doctor’s office, their parents often console them by saying
“It’s okay, I’m right here.”
When a boy cries, the response is more along the lines of
“Don’t cry, be a big boy.”
While the parents are trying to help both children, the message given to the boy teaches him that being male = not crying, whereas the girl is allowed to express her emotions (source).
Although many parents use the same phrase for children of either gender, the widely prevailing stereotype is that boys should never cry, even when in pain (source). Even small differences, like the wording of a statement meant to comfort a child, can all add up to form strict gender roles and negatively impact the mental health of men.
The relationship, or lack thereof, fathers have with their son has the potential to cause emotional distress to the boys.
If fathers do not show love or warmth towards their sons, their sons could grow up feeling like they never knew if their father approved of, or even liked, them. Feeling abandoned as a child can lead to higher rates of depression as an adult, which is an issue men often feel unequipped to discuss (source).
Additionally, if fathers are incredibly demanding that their sons “be a man” by being tough, stoic, athletic, etc., the sons can develop a rigid view of masculinity and experience both physical and mental consequences (source).