Boys are taught that they shouldn't have or share emotions. Is that okay? Follow for more expert parenting strategies and guidance! Speaker: Dr. Lisa Damour Source: WHAT TEENAGERS NEED (And How To Provide It) | Rich Roll Podcast While this feels like a fairly obvious statement, it's not being talked about enough. If we want our children to become more emotionally regulated and securely in control of their emotions and feelings in adulthood, they need space and opportunity to practice in their youth. Right now (and historically) boys have generally viewed the sharing of feelings as a non-manly thing to do. So much so, that it's almost a badge of honor to never talk about feelings or the emotions that are rising up inside. This is problematic because the data suggests this type of suppression can lead to negative emotional outcomes. Whether or not everyone believes that this is a problem is irrelevant to the point Dr. Damour makes. If we want to help boys to develop better emotional fluency, we will need male adult figures to step up and break these societal cycles. Until that happens, the stereotype will remain strong that men shouldn't show, express, or share feelings, and that that type of behavior is reserved for girls. Share this post with another parent who needs to hear it!