Absolutely! My mom is always telling me to stop hugging my little bother because he’s too big for that now (he’s 15, I’m 33) and I always respond that we need love and affection at every age. I do ask him if he wants a hug tho, because we also need to respect consent at every age.
I plan to be the same with my nephews and my own boys if I have them.
This photo melts my heart and soul! It’s so perfect for the message. Like you can see what a bright light he is and society as they age keeps dimming that light with ridiculous expectations that harms everyone.
I hope he remains a bright light, happy and beautiful for all his years!
I sometimes can’t believe the transformation in boys that become part of my class having never had a male teacher. I’m good at what I do but the impact there isn’t just the fact that I’m me, I think the fact that I’m male and exhibiting behaviours they might not have experienced from men before is what makes all the difference. It’s a side of my job that makes every difficult moment worthwhile.
Oluwatobi, what I loved seeing in Nigeria & Bénin is fathers being so attentive & affectionate with their children when the take them out over the weekend.
Wow. This is beautiful. As a mother of a (now departed) son, I wholeheartedly agree with all of this. And I am grateful I spent 28 years hugging my son every chance I got while he was still on this earth. No regrets. 😊
This is a beautiful write. However, I do not agree with your submission that masculinity stifles men's emotions such as vulnerability and empathy. It must be understood that to every male is masculinity, and to every female is femininity. That's nature's design. Anything outside of that is a human invention to cope with growing human interactions in a world that grows complex as time goes by. A line, and a straight one at that, must be drawn between masculinity and misogyny or toxicity of any nature, or even patriarchy, as you may call it.
Absolutely! My mom is always telling me to stop hugging my little bother because he’s too big for that now (he’s 15, I’m 33) and I always respond that we need love and affection at every age. I do ask him if he wants a hug tho, because we also need to respect consent at every age.
I plan to be the same with my nephews and my own boys if I have them.
Yes, that's a big sister move right there. As a fellow big sister and auntie, I love it ;)
yes to all of this. also, your nephew and his mom are adorbs. Both of them. The love radiating off of them is so real.
Thanks Noha :D
Agree with every sentence ❤️❤️❤️
This photo melts my heart and soul! It’s so perfect for the message. Like you can see what a bright light he is and society as they age keeps dimming that light with ridiculous expectations that harms everyone.
I hope he remains a bright light, happy and beautiful for all his years!
It's one of my favourite photos too. Thank you for your kind words🥹
I sometimes can’t believe the transformation in boys that become part of my class having never had a male teacher. I’m good at what I do but the impact there isn’t just the fact that I’m me, I think the fact that I’m male and exhibiting behaviours they might not have experienced from men before is what makes all the difference. It’s a side of my job that makes every difficult moment worthwhile.
Feedback like this gives me hope. Thanks for being a good role model. 🙌🏾
Oluwatobi, what I loved seeing in Nigeria & Bénin is fathers being so attentive & affectionate with their children when the take them out over the weekend.
I appreciate my 15 and 19 year olds hugs more than anything, keep holding them tight, they will remember and return the favor!
It is a shame that their world doesn’t align with the inherent goodness of our children!
Yes!
Your fears are grounded in reality.
This is so profound. Thank you for sharing! And, God bless your nephew 💛.
You are kind, thank you! I hope you have a blessed rest of the week ❤️
Wow. This is beautiful. As a mother of a (now departed) son, I wholeheartedly agree with all of this. And I am grateful I spent 28 years hugging my son every chance I got while he was still on this earth. No regrets. 😊
Aww Kristi, I'm so touched hearing this story. I'm happy you have good memories to cherish. Sending you hugs too.
And you read my post! Thank you :D
You are welcome! You were a lucky find today 😊
What a wonderful reflection on the responsibility we have to our communities and villages in bringing up caring and thoughtful boys and men
This is a beautiful write. However, I do not agree with your submission that masculinity stifles men's emotions such as vulnerability and empathy. It must be understood that to every male is masculinity, and to every female is femininity. That's nature's design. Anything outside of that is a human invention to cope with growing human interactions in a world that grows complex as time goes by. A line, and a straight one at that, must be drawn between masculinity and misogyny or toxicity of any nature, or even patriarchy, as you may call it.
Thanks for your compliment. But you should read the post properly before commenting.
Well said Oluwatobi. And a very pertinent post. And a darling nephew.
Thank you Avril 🥰