Dads Speak Out: How 'Be a Man' Rules Hurt Their Kids

One dad shares how the pressure to be tough and fit certain molds has hurt his sons. His trans son struggled with identity, and his youngest faces bullying for wearing nail polish. Even their middle son feels the squeeze to be an 'alpha' in school. These dads are working to break these harmful expectations. Another dad recalls how he was taught to hide emotions. Now, he sees this impacting his son, who gets teased for showing feelings. It's clear that these old ideas about manhood are causing pain. Some people might think these are just 'boys being boys', but these dads know it's more. They're pushing back against these harmful norms, hoping to make life easier for their kids. It's not just about them, though. These dads want to help change society's view of what being a man means. They hope their kids can grow up in a world where they don't have to hide who they are or how they feel. One dad sums it up: "It's time we rethink what it means to be a man. It's not about being tough all the time. It's about being true to yourself and kind to others. " These dads are making a difference, one conversation at a time. They're showing that real strength comes from being yourself, not from fitting someone else's idea of what a man should be.