“Be a man!”

A phrase many boys grow up hearing.

He is hurting — “Be a man.”

He is confused — “Figure it out.”

He is overwhelmed — “Don’t be weak.”

But who teaches him how to carry all that?

Who asks, “Are you okay?”

And when he finally talks, do we listen?

We tell men to open up, yet sometimes we’ve taught them that nobody will listen anyway.

The boychild needs more than preparation to provide, protect and lead.

He needs emotional support. Guidance. A safe place to say, “I don't know.”

A man is more than what he brings to the table.

Maybe “Be a man” should also mean:

“I’m here. Talk to me. We’ll figure it out together.”