The Quiet Lives of Boys
I have always believed that boys are among the simplest and strongest creations of Allah SWT. Not because they don't feel deeply but because they are taught from a very young age to carry their feelings in silence. A little boy falls, and before anyone asks if he is hurt, they tell him to be brave. A young boy cries and he is told that boys do not cry. A man breaks, and he learns to do it quietly. Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, many boys are taught that their emotions should remain hidden, that vulnerability is a weakness and that being strong means carrying everything alone. I often think about how much pressure men carry throughout their lives. They are expected to become someone's dependable son, someone's responsible husband, someone's protective father, and someone's source of strength. They are expected to know what to do even when they are completely lost themselves. They are expected to comfort others even on the days when they desperately need...
