Statutory Warning: Masculinity is harmful for health

In this dark world, there is a need of little spark, so as to make a better world where at least two people can love, work, study, play and share, without the fear of age-old boundaries and prejudices imposed on them.

By Harshit Rana

The idea of this piece emerged after I watched Satyamev Jayate Season 3, Episode 6, which deeply inspired me to reflect on how rigid notions of masculinity can negatively impact men, especially teenagers and youngsters.

Through this article, I have tried to explore how societal expectations and traditional gender roles often harm young men’s mental health, relationships, and overall well-being — a perspective that I believe aligns with this media portal’s open-ended editorial stance, with its commitment to publish thoughtful, socially relevant content.

There is a huge bundle of pressure on men, especially the young and teenagers, for various reasons. However so it may seem that a male life is contented and apparently free, even in the growing years, the notion of being in a constant sense of quarrel with oneself, and the world, being arrogant, masculine, authoritative, competitive, etc, -- these types of notions make them confused. Thus, they often ask themselves -- how should we behave?

Because, by nature, all men are humane and possess humanity, but, often, their surroundings and upbringing seem to force them towards what seems a distinct and predictable path. This is, indeed, sad.

Behind the veil of these conservative notions, apparently, our society seems transparent. However, it's actually not so transparent; there are several inhuman and irrational practices going on since centuries.

The common thing in these inherited practices is that there is a big hand of ‘certain kind of men’ behind it. From ragging and bullying in schools and colleges, to humiliating others, to acts of domination and violence against women, etc, it’s a vicious cycle, and once a man is trapped in this, there is no chance of escape.

The kind of games we play, our sense of labour and work ethics, our sense of dress and every day conduct, the kind of movies we choose to watch, what we see or display on the social media, etc, all the materialistic and non-materialistic things, are forcing some, including youngsters, towards this vicious cycle.

The result is that they can’t connect emotionally with anyone.

How painful it is for someone when he loses the ability of being a sensitive and empathetic human being!

In our conservative, male-centric upbringing, there is often no authentic love, respect or dignity for women; indeed, there is a strange notion that women are subordinate to men. This has no logic or rationality.

Hence, there can never be an equal and happy relationship between such men with women.

In the race of fitting himself in the entrenched social definition of a male narrative, it seems, these days, many youngsters are seeking fake sources of masculinity. This is, because in our old-school society, no man can exist with a soft and compassionate heart. He can’t be gentle, decent, and humble.

Soft and gentle boys do exist, but our social values, and the addictive digital influences, are killing the softest emotions in different ways.

Boys and girls are born with essential humanity, and that should be nourished. However, the prevailing social values and atmosphere, seems to change that as we start growing up.

In this dark world, there is a need of little spark, of optimism, positivity, creativity  -- not only to stop inhuman practices and values, but to make a better world where at least two people can love, work, study, play and share, be creative and meaningful, without the fear of age-old boundaries and prejudices imposed on them.

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Harshit Rana is a 12th grader from the Humanities stream in a first generation English medium school, who loves writing about vibrant topics, plus cooking and calligraphy. He is studying at Nanakmatta Public School, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand.