Hey Sista, How Can You Protect the Young Men in Your Life?

As we continue the conversation about men and mental health this month, we need to go full circle. The stigmas, masculine toxicity, and double standards often start at a very young age. This is a tricky, sensitive, multi dimensioned conversation. As adults, parents, role models, advocates, and protectors of the current and next generation. We have the be mindful to not project personal bias that can cause damaging mindsets and start meaningful, objective dialogues with the young men in our lives. “Fragile masculinity,” a term referring to the unrealistic cultural standards placed on men, exists because many men feel they have to overcompensate or act in a certain way to meet these traditional standards, but we are all human. Black boys deserve to be able to be just boys. They deserve to grow into men in their own time. They deserve the right to just live and be, so let’s talk about it!