Supressing emotion was a survival technique.
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This comment was by Joshua Geauvreau in reference to the post – Why Women Aren’t Crazy
As a male raised by an abusive father, I used to get beaten for showing emotion. I have not shed a tear since sometime around the age of six. I’ve held the hand of a dying relative as they passed, and felt nothing.
I don’t “get” emotion. I’ve had to suppress mine to survive. I had to learn to think while in pain, to choke down rage, and hold my hand steady while smiling and telling the person I despised that I love them too.
You’re damn straight, if you come at an issue emotionally, I’m going to tell you to calm down. I learned from experience that you cannot think clearly while emotional, I had to learn to control it, and I cannot handle emotional people well, as I simply cannot relate.
Yes, it is my issue. I’ll try to be understanding, I’ll hold you uncomfortably, give you a few pats on the back, and a there-there, it’ll be ok. I’m sorry I can’t give you more, but you need to understand, that is far more than I was ever given.
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One day, this culture’s demand that men firmly control all emotion will be seen for what it is, cruelty and abuse…….. That’s condoned because men are seen as simply disposable…….valued for only what they can do rather than simply for who they are.