Since childhood, many boys are taught not to cry, not to be afraid and to remain strong in every situation. If a boy expresses his feelings, many times he is considered weak. Gradually he starts hiding his problems from others and avoids expressing his feelings. But is it really necessary to suppress your emotions to become a strong man? Bollywood actor Ishaan Khattar has expressed his opinion on this traditional thinking of masculinity. His talk gives a new perspective not only on the upbringing of boys but also on understanding relationships like love and marriage.
Does becoming a man mean not being like women?
Ishaan Khattar raised questions on the social thinking related to the upbringing of boys and said that boys are often not taught how to become men, rather they are taught not to become like women.
His statement points towards the mentality in which boys are prevented from crying, being afraid or expressing their emotions since childhood. If a boy cries, he is called weak and if he tells his problems, he is advised to become strong.
However, expressing your feelings is not weakness. When a person is afraid of expressing his views since childhood, it may be difficult for him to talk openly with his spouse or partner even after growing up.
What did growing up with a single mother teach Ishaan?
Ishaan Khattar told that he was raised by his mother alone. This experience of his life also played a role in understanding women and their attitudes.
In childhood, from the family and surrounding environment, children get the opportunity to learn how to behave with other people and how much importance they should give to their feelings.
If boys learn from a young age to listen to others, understand their problems and respect them, then they can manage their relationships better when they grow up. This understanding is useful not only in love relationships, but also in friendship, family and married life.
Understanding partner's feelings is also a part of love
Referring to his career experiences, Ishan said that he has worked with almost 50 percent women filmmakers in his career of about eight years. Working with different people provides opportunities to understand other perspectives.
Even in relationships, it is very important to understand each other's point of view. For example, if your partner is upset about something, then dismissing her problem as a small matter can increase the distance in the relationship. It may be that the same thing is trivial to you, but it means a lot to him.
In such a situation, it is more important to listen carefully to the other person instead of proving him wrong. It is not necessary to provide immediate solution to every problem. Sometimes it is enough just to make the other person feel that he is being listened to and his feelings are being respected.
Why is there pressure on men to look strong all the time?
In society, men are often expected to remain strong in every situation. Due to this pressure, many men are not able to express their sorrows, fears and problems openly. They feel that by expressing their feelings people will consider them weak.
But being silent in a relationship is not always a sign of strength. Many times, by continuously suppressing the thoughts of the mind, small problems turn into big misunderstandings.
If something has hurt you, it may be better to discuss it openly with your partner. Similarly, there is nothing wrong in asking for help in difficult times. When both people are able to share their feelings without any fear, trust increases between them and there is scope for understanding each other in the relationship.
Understanding each other is the foundation of a good relationship
According to Ishaan Khattar, one of the biggest strengths of cinema is to introduce people to different perspectives of the world. Understanding the experiences and emotions of others is important not only for art, but also for personal relationships.
Every person's upbringing, thinking and emotional needs are different. Therefore, to strengthen any relationship, merely expressing love is not enough. It is equally important to listen to your partner, respect his/her feelings and accept your mistakes when necessary.
Boys should also be given the freedom to express their feelings and cry when needed. After all, masculinity doesn't mean hiding your feelings or comparing yourself to others. Real strength also lies in understanding yourself, accepting your feelings, and treating others with respect.