This Tumblr Thread About Men’s Emotional Needs Might Inspire You to Compliment Guys More Often

There’s been a massive movement in recent years to be consciously encouraging to girls and women. They’ve been told they can do anything and be anything and taught to get an education and take care of themselves, all of which is important and wonderful and necessary.

But while boys and men may not need as much reminding that they can do anything or be anything (they’re given that privilege by society, after all), boys and men do need to be reminded that their emotional needs are valid and matter and do not make them less of a “man.”

Photo Credit: Tumblr

That’s the crux of the issue of “toxic masculinity,” a concept many are starting to believe is behind many of the emotional issues rampant in male culture.

Photo Credit: Tumblr

Basically, the belief that boys and men need to be tough and stoic and stay guarded in order to be a “real man.”

Photo Credit: Tumblr

But it’s not real. NONE of it is real.

Photo Credit: Tumblr

It’s damaging, and one Tumblr user’s post about how she takes care of her boyfriend’s emotional needs is really putting things into perspective.

Photo Credit: Tumblr

And others are responding with their own stories about how they remember to take care of the men in their lives, not just physically, but emotionally, and how much they like it.

And more than that, how much they need it.

Photo Credit: Tumblr

And it seriously messes with men’s ability to relate.

Photo Credit: Tumblr

Because guys who can open up emotionally? THOSE are the keepers.

Photo Credit: Tumblr

Trust these ladies. They know!

Photo Credit: Tumblr

The fact that women can feel unsure or uncomfortable when handing out compliments, sympathy, or encouragement to men is only proof that toxic masculinity affects everyone in our culture, not just men.