Real Men Do Cry: Why in Some Cultures It’s Actually ‘Manly’ To Cry
And why in some others, not so much
Most media headlines about the recent formal abdication of the former Danish queen, Margrethe II, contained the word ‘tears.’
And while you might think that it was probably the former queen who must’ve shed a tear for leaving a role held by 52 years — making her the longest-serving monarch — it wasn’t her.
It was her son, King Frederik X, instead. Actually, he wept on multiple occasions during the day and even showed vulnerability in his speech, admitting he needs ‘all the support he can get’ in his new role.
In Denmark, this didn’t seem to surprise or shock many people. In fact, Danish media just reported it as a touching moment, with some even praising him for his ‘authenticity.’
But while to Danes this might have been a perfectly normal and understandable display of emotions, it’s still not exactly common for the rest of the world to see their figureheads, particularly male, openly and unashamedly cry and wipe their tears.
Even if it happens on a rare occasion, and a singular, discreet tear is shed, it’s seen as more of a ‘revolutionary’ act. And to some, it’s a sign of weakness and the increasing ‘effeminisation’ of men and society.
