We see so many Facebook posts about women and protecting them when it comes to eating disorders, mental illnesses and so much more. Unlike men, women are seen as more sensitive and are seen as people who are allowed to cry and show emotion, but men on the otherhand, cannot. It's obvious that men and women are viewed completely different in today's society but who says that boys can't cry? Who says that men can't show emotions and be upset?

It's always the women who are seen as the emotional ones, but as soon as a man shows any ounce of emotion he is automatically labeled as a "sissy" or seen as weak. But showing emotion is not weak. Showing emotion can be a beautiful thing, a thing that many people appreciate, and just like women, men should be able to show their feelings without being criticized.

We, as a society, spend so much time shining a light on women who suffer from eating disorders. Women who work in industries where cut-throat diets are the only way in, and starving yourself is almost a requirement. But we forget that men suffer from eating disorders too. That boys and men of all ages suffer with self-esteem problems and starve themselves and suffer from other mental illnesses. We forget to tell our men that they have the right to feel sad but that there is help. We forget that our men do protect us, but they can also be hurting. Mental disorders aren't exclusive to any specific gender, they affect everyone, at any age, in any part of the world.

We forget that men can be raped too. So many people dismiss this as a possibility but men can be raped and molested and physically abused. We try to mold men into our idea of what it is to be a man. To be strong, masculine, a provider, but men come in all different shapes, sizes, and personalities. We tell little boys that "boys don't cry" and to not be "such a girl." We tell men to "get over it" when they're sick or when they're feeling depressed and that they need to "grow some balls" and "man up."

But this isn't okay. It's not okay to dismiss a man's feelings just because of his gender, just like it isn't okay to assume a woman is mad simply because she's on her period. We need to educate and empower boys to love themselves just like we try to teach our girls too. We need to tell men that it's okay to cry and that showing emotion isn't weak, and it doesn't make them a "sissy." We need to teach men to love their bodies and accept themselves for who they are. But most importantly, we need to quit telling men to "man up."