Art of Manliness - Latest Comments in When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

Eric J Stover — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 17:47:46 -0000

Sometimes you just need to cry and no one has a right to tell you you can't. It's fine to try to stand against it, work through the turmoil and not waste time moping around, but no one should ever feel that they can't cry when they feel like it.

It's unhealthy and causes a lot more harm keeping those feelings in than letting them out. We're human beings and we have a right to feel what we feel!

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

700deadlift — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 07:23:31 -0000

I've had fractures, breaks, and stitches, not a tear. But man, the notebook f*kin got to me, I think that one should be put on the "when its okay to cry" list haha.

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

John — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 14:59:45 -0000

Another movie I would add is the re-entry seen in Apollo 13. Watching the pain as they think the capsule is lost, then the joy as they see the opening chutes.

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

A Female — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 23:49:46 -0000

I was just going to write and I saw the note from Peter about mental illness... I knew what people would think is a strong and powerful man on a very personal level and he cried in private with me quite a bit. He suffered from PTSD from abuse as a child...and because society told him not to cry he became this strong man, and unknowingly hurt many people along the way. Eventually it wasn't sustainable holding all that in and he got really sick... please be considerate to people who have real problems.

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

Peter — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 06:19:41 -0000

I'm curious, how do y'all feel mental illness factors into this? Coming from a bipolar person.

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

LawnGuyLander — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 04:00:13 -0000

I cried at the funeral of a relative,and felt somewhat embarrassed about it.I felt this way because almost all of those present did not show the depth of emotion I did.The WASP/Nordic attitude towards a man not showing emotion by and large is correct. You are seen as weak and foolish.The only valid exceptions are when a loved one dies,birth of a child,and an intense religious experience.

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

Peter Smith — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 15:46:26 -0000

This article is terrific. Unfortunately, so much stigma has been placed on crying. Crying is a natural act. It is a part of who we are as human beings. So many of our natural responses, actions and way of being have been manipulated based on a perceived societal view. Crying like sex has become taboo. Both are completely natural. People need to stop worrying what others think. If you feel the need to cry, let it out.
If others around you are uncomfortable, that is their issue. They should not project their own insecurities and inability to deal/cope with life onto you. Crying should be embraced and recognised as an attribute of humanity and system that keeps us balanced. Cheers. May the Tears flow.

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

Vito Mezzapelli — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 11:44:33 -0000

Men should be just be able to cry whenever they feel the need. Where did this stupid expectztion come from that they should not?

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

Brandon R. — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 17:35:55 -0000

I'm actually very tender-hearted and I cry quite easily. Sometimes, I just lose it. However, I know when not to cry, and am actually pretty good at holding it together when I need to. I just imagine that I'm Batman. Of course, I usually do that anyway, but I can't think of a better model of being in control of yourself and your environment. Then, when it's just my wife and I (or, if need be) just me, I take off the cape and cowl (so to speak) and let it all out.

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

Andrew — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 04:04:36 -0000

I'm a college student attending U.N.D in North Dakota. I a have a Russian class that has a movie night every so often. My teacher likes to bring Russian snacks for us so ,today, she brought the Russian equivalent of apple pie. After the movie, she gave me a couple pieces, crushed in a cup, to take with me. It reminded me on my mom and being home, so I went back to my dorm and lost it. I'm not sure if I'm being over dramatic or not, but that's what happened.

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

DEN — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 07:45:21 -0000

I am a real man, and yet I cry almost everyday, movies, songs, just watching my daughter learn something new and proudly show me. usually just well up, not tears, sometimes sobbing. I cried at my wedding, my list of movies is in the hundreds, I am far from a wuss, I just really feel my feelings.

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

Jose — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 22:47:48 -0000

Mi mama me dijo " los hombres no lloran!" Nuff said! Except when your father died seven years ago!

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

Tue, 10 Sep 2013 14:34:55 -0000

im also with papa bravo and jake...
im 40 and the other day i couldnt hold back crying infront of my parents. when i wiped my tears and without saying a word, i looked up at them and saw they were also crying with me. i say cry if you have to... its got nothing to do with gender.

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

Oscar — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 22:26:57 -0000

I cried at the end of Ghost. I agree with the list mostly. Not to say that attitudes will change over time..

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

Ben — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 21:09:17 -0000

I'm with you, Matt.

The end of "Act of Valor" when the letter is being read to the son he'll never meet.......gets me every time. Then when the list of names of US Navy Special Warfare servicemen who have died since 9/11, that gets me even more. Especially as one of them belonged to a good friend of mine. Right side, about 6-7 names down: Caleb Nelson

I'm joining the Navy shortly.

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

Aadil — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 06:34:58 -0000

Hi,

I am 18 years old right now, and I am working on begin a great man in the future, but recently I've been feeling down, and I feel like cry but I don't want too. I haven't cried for two years and I don't want too but I just feel heavy on the inside. There was a point in my life not too long ago when I realized I am very weak, and I have to get stronger, and since then I've been changing myself to be a better man. Is it acceptable to cry when you feel really heavy and burdened. I've had this feeling bottled up for long and I can't hold it, and I need to cry yet i don't. I feel so conflicted that I had to come here for some help. Should I cry or should I just man up and let it pass hoping that it will pass.

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

Hamza — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 21:25:33 -0000

I'm 16, and in the past 4-5 years, I haven't properly cried once. The rare times that I need to cry, I always find myself unable to well up, and I'm not sure what's wrong with me.

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

Danny — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 07:26:19 -0000

I am SOOOOO glad you did not include Titanic. It is impossible to not cry or weep over that damn movie. I hate how emotional it makes me. Every freaking time.

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

Mark S — Sat, 06 Jul 2013 04:23:17 -0000

As a teen, I cried because of the stress of being bullied and of being an outcast. I recently cried over a tragic circumstance of my marriage. And I oddly remember getting choked up defending my country. Is that odd? I guess it is patriotism showing or something.

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

Enzio — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 02:34:16 -0000

I don't believe men should ever cry. As a man you should are to be strong , like brick, like stone, like raging fire.It is okay for a man to feel love, compassion, grief, sorrow, sympathy, and anger and fury. But man should never cry in private or among others.,

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

Marc — Thu, 23 May 2013 04:08:50 -0000

I used to think that I was weird for trying to hide my sadness and choking up at war memorials or Braveheart, but I guess I've been on the path all along.

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

Anonymous — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:37:32 -0000

Ending of Return of the King. Book and movie.

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

C. Lew — Thu, 09 May 2013 06:16:02 -0000

I have to add Hotel Rwanda

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

MS — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:50:13 -0000

The love story between Carl and his wife in Up. Every freaking time.

Re: When Is It Okay for a Man to Cry?

TD — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 07:12:43 -0000

I wandered onto this page, but it was a big relief to see my yearly Christmas Eve cry (Is a Wonderful Life) on the list.