As you may know, this is Men's Health Week and it crowns itself on Sunday with Father's Day.
Honestly, if I didn't keep up with important articles, I would have no idea that this week was dedicated to the beautiful beings called MEN.
I see no companies with targeted campaigns or flashy adverts that would sensitize or inform us
Matter of fact, it's real quiet in the social media district
These give you a sense of what it means to be a man
There is a saying that "to be a man is not a day's job" and I wholeheartedly agree.
Men rarely get believed for being violated, whether domestically or sexually.
Okay, if a man comes to you and tells you that he has been violated and needs help, what is your first reaction? I bet you an average person would probably laugh or look at him weirdly, like "guy with all these muscle person beat you?" Tell me you haven't been in that situation 😒😒🌚🌝🌝
Or is it when accusations come up, especially the sexual kind and people are up in arms, crucifying him before he gets investigated.
D'banj can tell you how it felt to be in that situation, because he lost his endorsements in one swoop.
The influencer Tife was crucified for months on Twitter for this purpose. Hell, UG, another influencer, almost lost his reputation, if not for some receipts that vindicated him
The world really is not fair to the men and when they finally get vindicated, it is already too late.
This was the case of Izu, a talented designer tailor who committed suicide. He had just come out of a depressing state, looking to change his life and got hit by false claims just because he rebuffed a girl's advances.
We are familiar with the Johnny Depp scénario which led to studios dropping him from projects, and it took years for him to decide to get a court hearing which finally vindicated him and exposed the true nature of his psychotic ex-wife, Amber Heard.
Men are not allowed to be vulnerable and that specie of a man is seen as weak and stupid, as if vulnerability is some curse, instead of the healthy human attribute it is supposed to be.
It is shown in how Will Smith has been treated in the media. Instead of sympathy, he gets memes and funny articles and videos made about him. Say what you want about the guy, he is someone in need of help but is not getting it, but rather, he is being crucified on the media cross.
Then when we are left with a lot of emotionally unavailable men, we start to complain without realizing how much we have contributed to that happening
Last year, I posted on Men's Day, asking the guys on my contact list to tell me when last they got birthday gifts or gifts of any kind. The responses were beyond heartbreaking I tell you.
Some said it's been a while, another said from me and one other girl which was his birthday that year but none before that. One guy actually told me his last gift was when he was 8 years old.
It's sad to see this happen but it should not continue to be the norm.
I know some men contribute to these tropes as they love to be seen as some demi gods or untouchable but this article is not about those men.
Men, allow yourselves to be vulnerable, talk about your feelings, be good, be kind, protect yourself and leave toxic relationships.
Allow yourself to heal so you do not continue the hurtful vicious cycle. The solution starts with you and I and what choices we make now
In all, go be the person you would be proud of, that your son or daughter would be proud of, that your wife and friends would adore
You matter, you rock and there is absolutely nothing wrong with being the best and most honest version of yourself
Finally, HAPPY MEN'S HEALTH WEEK!!!!
Tell me about some things that need to change in the society regarding men's health and wellbeing
MENTALLY MASCULINE..
By
Queensley Okon