Redefining Masculinity: Men, Mental Health, and the Challenge of Change
- Hilary Valdez
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Guys like to take things apart and blow things up. During life, all guys need to tune themselves up, readjust their outlook, and psychologically recalibrate emotionally. This re
quires a guy to take themselves apart and re-examine his values, thinking, and beliefs. The challenge is creating an environment where different generations of males can communicate, mingle and work side-by-side. The goal is to identify clash points among four male generations: traditionalist, baby boomers, Gen Xers and millennials.
Identifying the clash points is confronting issues of gender-based violence and toxic masculinity. It is important for men to actively challenge harmful behaviors and attitudes that perpetuate violence against women and marginalized groups.
As men navigate various challenges and transitions in life, personal growth and self-improvement become essential tools for adapting and thriving. Many men are uncomfortable talking about feelings or emotions. Modern men grapple with the pressure to conform to traditional masculine norms while also embracing more inclusive and progressive definitions of manhood.
Achieving a healthy work-life balance remains a significant challenge for men regardless of one’s generational group. It’s stressful being a guy being charged with supporting your family, balancing a relationship, planning for your future and your kids future. All men face this male role, as they strive to excel in their professional lives while also being present, engaged fathers and partners.
Many men have been socialized to suppress their emotions and may find it challenging to express vulnerability or develop emotional intelligence. The male role requires a man to appear tough, objective, striving, achieving, unsentimental, emotionally unexpressive. Developing and maintaining meaningful friendships can be difficult for men, particularly as they age or transition into new life stages.
Self-expression is constructive when dealing with emotions. Men with well-defined interpersonal skills have an easier time succeeding in professional and personal environments. However, these interactions are taking place online. With increased remote work and digital communication, men may experience greater feelings of loneliness and isolation: unless you’re a hermit, introvert, or anti-social. Finding ways to cultivate a sense of community and connection is vital, for all men. To start, practice being positive about expressing your feelings and beliefs so others can understand you, this is key for effective communication. Simultaneously, allowing people to express their thoughts and concerns, facilitates communication. Humor is one of the best methods for lowering defensive behavior and gaining confidence. Loosen up. Sweeten up. Redefining masculinity
What is the expectation of the roles each generation of men will play in improving harmonious relationships? Men often face stigma when it comes to seeking help for mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety or trauma. Encouraging open dialogue and destigmatizing mental healthcare is essential for supporting men’s well-being. A man’s task is to seek barriers within himself that he has built against love, trust, honesty, or openness. For one day try to be positive and cheerful. Smile, don’t have a sad face.
What needs to happen to weave generational respect, understanding and cooperation into the four generations? Some look at it as old school vs new school. How is each generation being understood or stereotyped? What does each generation bring to the table. Every generation develops new slang. Slang is ever changing that establishes or reinforce social identity or cohesiveness within a group. With changing technology, understanding social gaps have widened between older and younger generations. Who remembers “Pig Latin?” And who uses the Gregg method of “short hand?”
We are all part of humanity. Look at the other person’s point-of-view. You might learn something, and the other person will respect and trust you more because you care to listen to them. Listening is different from hearing. Listen carefully. Your emotional well-being will improve if you have the ability to handle frustration, anger, sorrow, and joy. Acknowledging, understanding, accepting, and valuing differences leads to harmony. Discord or harmony. You choose.
About the Author:
Hilary Valdez is a freelancer living in Tokyo, Japan. He is an experienced Mental Health professional and Resiliency Trainer. Valdez is a former Marine and has worked with the military most of his career and most recently worked at Camp Zama as a Master Resiliency Trainer. Valdez now has a private practice and publishes books on social and psychological issues. His books are available on Amazon and for Kindle. Learn more about Valdez and contact him at his website or email (InstantInsights@hotmail.com). Follow his YouTube channel Hilary’s Quick Talk for more insights.
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