This day promotes a more equitable relationship between men and women and also a more empathetic and peaceful world for the benefit of everybody.

International Men’s Day is celebrated in 70 countries and was established in 1992 in the United States according to the Human Rights Commission, it was proposed by Professor Tomas Eastern of the University of Missouri in Kansas and officially declared by the International Committee of Man in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999.

International Men’s Day offers an occasion to talk about the emotional and physical health of men, highlight the contributions they make to society and promote positive and favorable conduct guidelines for a healthy life. It highlights the discrimination and stigmatization of stereotypes that limit the performance of men in society and do not allow them to show their vulnerability, which affects their mental and emotional health.

Stereotypes

Culturally, both men and women have been assigned certain roles and behaviors, which are sometimes limiting and conditioning their social performance. In the case of men, it is believed that if they do not meet the following characteristics, they are less of a man:

a. Strong

b. Pain resistant.

c. Financial support from your home.

d. Be willing to go to blows with other men to prove your manhood.

and. Use of elements, accessories, and clothing in dark colors.

F. The greater the number of women, the more manhood.

g. Always be ready to perform sexually.

h. Competitive.

Male life expectancy:

According to the genetic differences between men and women, the life expectancy of men is 5 to 7 years less than that of women. The book “The X factor” by Dr. Sharon Moalem, is the hypothesis about this fact. As is known, women have two XX chromosomes and men have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome. The X chromosome is responsible for our immune system and therefore women are more resistant to certain diseases, such as COVID, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and liver diseases.

Regarding deaths due to accidents, violent deaths, and suicides, the occurrence is three times higher than in women, and this response to an issue of behavior and stereotypes.

Emotional and Physical Health:

There is no mental health without physical and emotional health. Unfortunately, we still live in macho societies in which men are not allowed to express their emotions and their repression degenerates into physical and mental health problems. Not being able to comply with the standards and stereotypes established by society generates states of anxiety and depression in men that, combined with the consumption of alcohol and psychoactive substances, trigger suicides in most cases.

It is important to recognize a man as a human being, with emotional, listening, and recognition needs like any other. With the right to feel vulnerable without ceasing to be a man.

To take care of physical, emotional, and mental health, it is necessary to implement healthy lifestyle habits, such as proper nutrition, exercise, restful sleep, rest, recreation, healthy and active social life, management of emotions, and development of assertiveness, practices of meditation, relaxation and breathing techniques, carry out activities in which tools for managing emotions and developing mental skills are acquired.

Positive male role models

They are established by inspiring behaviors and habits that serve as a reference for others and that generate changes in the behavior of men to have a healthy life.

1. Men who integrally take care of themselves, that is, they take care of their mind, their body, and their spirit, take care of others, and share their tasks equally in the home. They know how to be caregivers and provide support.

2. Men who defy gender role stereotypes are more committed to housework, becoming a benchmark of equality for their children.

3. Emotionally authentic men are men who have a balance between their emotions and their rationality, they allow themselves to cry, be sensitive and sweet, as well as being rational and firm enough.

4. Empathetic men with communication skills. Generous, compassionate, and respectful men.

5. Men who support their community are more aware of their role in society, it is not just about taking care of themselves and their loved ones, it is also about providing support and being socially responsible.

In conclusion, as women we are historically committed to the responsibility of allowing men to develop and empower these models, supporting conscious men to generate a change in stereotypes to create together a better society worthy of being lived by future generations.