incible is exactly what is making them vulnerable.Although the power of society that works against a mans relationship with his emotions is strong, there are some things he can do to help himself. One step that many men have taken that has changed their entire outlook on life is joining a mens support group, also known as a consciousness-raising group. Typically, a mens support group is a casual but organized group in which men get together on a regular basis for a set amount of time to discuss certain personal issues that are central to being a man. The topics discussed are usually chosen by the members of the group, and include such issues as women, relationships, child rearing, work, and personal body images. People can discuss personal issues that they are going through in their lives at the time, or they can simply sit and listen until they are comfortable enough to talk.The main goal of mens groups is to give men a chance to break some of the social barriers of masculinity that keep them from experiencing or sharing male intimacy and their emotions. Many men report having been able to share their feelings, but only with their women friends. Theyve always felt their women friends would be more receptive of their emotions and more able to help them deal with emotional distress. There is nothing wrong with a man wanting to share his emotions with a woman friend. What is wrong is men going to women because they feel they cant be emotionally free enough to confide in their male friends. It is wrong that men should always have the fear that other males cant or wont accept their emotions as a legitimate part of who they are. A mans doubt of other mens ability to accept his emotions inevitably reflects his doubt of his own ability to deal with emotions. Perhaps many men regularly choosing their female friends over their male friends to discuss emotional issues with is a result of and a perpetuating cause of the idea that a male...
