When Men Cry

Men are understood to be built and wired in a certain way. As the hunter of humanity's prehistoric salad days, he is a strong, toughened creature who stands by his decisions and can be happy or angry, but never sad. That last area- the emotional makeup- is what moves me to write today. Over time, however, this sketch of the man's mental state and the safety of emoting in any way has been come less certain and more complicated.

I think that perhaps the first chinks in the armor might have come gradually on the valorous field of battle. Shakespeare wrote of men who suffered such wrenching turmoil in arms that they formed among themselves bonds more intimate than they shared with their closest and most loved blood relatives. I'm as sure as can be that no man in that number who shed tears was thought any less of by his comrades for his display of emotion.