The Unheard Emotions and Invisible Struggles of Men

—Lalit Gargg—

International Women’s Day has long served as a global platform to highlight the rights, struggles, and aspirations of women. In a similar spirit, more than thirty countries now observe International Men’s Day, first celebrated on 19 November 1999 by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh in Trinidad and Tobago. Yet despite this global observance, men’s concerns often remain hidden beneath layers of silence and social expectation. This day is significant not merely as a celebration of men, but as an opportunity to understand their struggles, emotional burdens, and overlooked realities. It reminds us that society is built not by one gender alone but upon the balanced well-being of both men and women. The theme for 2025, “Celebrating Men and Boys,” points to a deeper truth. Today’s man stands at a unique crossroads. He is expected to carry the traditional responsibilities of protector and provider while simultaneously adapting to modern expectations of emotional expressiveness, gentleness, and sensitivity. This dual pressure creates an inner conflict that often remains unacknowledged. Society sees men as strong, unbreakable, and problem-free, and this perception hides their very real needs and vulnerabilities. Many men find themselves in a paradoxical situation—burdened with responsibility but denied empathy; expected to endure, yet discouraged from expressing pain.

The denial of male suffering is not without consequences. Domestic violence against men, false accusations, denial of parental rights, workplace harassment, and emotional neglect are painful realities, but they are frequently dismissed as exaggerations or jokes. The stereotype that “men don’t feel pain” erases their truth. Studies show that men experience higher rates of depression and suicide than women, yet these disturbing facts rarely enter public debate. This neglect is not just unfair; it threatens the moral and emotional balance of society. In recent years, organizations like the All India Men’s Association have urged the Indian government to establish a Ministry for Men’s Welfare, similar to the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Several lawmakers in Uttar Pradesh have even demanded the creation of a National Men’s Commission, arguing that many men suffer silently under one-sided laws and social ridicule. They point out that countless men, especially husbands accused in domestic disputes, endure trauma, stigma, and injustice but hesitate to speak out for fear of mockery or disbelief. Their request is simple: if women deserve protective mechanisms and justice systems, why should men be denied the same consideration?

Men remain central to the fabric of families and societies. He is a father, a husband, a son, a brother, a friend. On his shoulders lie responsibilities that sustain households and communities. Yet despite immense contributions to science, art, development, labour, and social progress, men rarely receive recognition for their sacrifices. They are praised for strength but denied the space to be vulnerable. They are admired for their roles but rarely understood as individuals with emotional needs. Domestic violence against men remains a largely unspoken issue. While no government survey has yet assessed how many men face such violence, independent studies by Save Indian Family Foundation and My Nation reveal that more than ninety percent of married men experience at least one instance of domestic abuse within the first three years of their marriage. Their pain too deserves acknowledgment and justice. They seek not dominance, but dignity—the right to speak their truth and be heard without ridicule.

International Men’s Day offers a chance to reshape our understanding of masculinity. Gender equality is incomplete if men’s issues continue to be overlooked. Empowering women is vital, but dismantling harmful stereotypes about men is equally important. A balanced society is possible only when both genders are viewed as partners, not opponents; as complements, not competitors. Men must be freed from the rigid expectations of toughness and allowed to be recognized as emotional beings. Their tears are not signs of weakness but reflections of humanity. This day urges us to understand men in their complete reality—responsible yet vulnerable, strong yet breakable, giving yet deserving of care. It encourages society to talk openly about men’s physical and mental health, to celebrate positive male role models, and to build a more inclusive world in which both men and women can flourish without fear or prejudice. Men have always played a vital role in shaping families and nations; they protect, endure, sacrifice, and uplift. But they too need empathy, support, and acknowledgment. A truly humane and balanced society will emerge only when we listen to the silent ache of men with the same compassion we give to the suffering of women. When that happens, we will move closer to a world that honours every individual’s dignity and humanity—regardless of gender.