this is not hollywood

"Boys don't cry". As a man, how many times did you hear that growing up? What adverse effects does this mentality create?

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I remember being so angry all the time in middle school; from being bullied to hormonal surges. But one thing I made sure I didn't do? Cry. You could only permit yourself to cry at funerals, at least that's what I told myself anyway.

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The idea is that so many men hold onto this mentality of being 'manly' and quite literally drown themselves in their own feelings, when all it takes is to break the surface and let it out. I wanted to juxtapose the idea of manliness with my model crying mascara, which is considered feminine (and a running joke that true men only shed one tear from one eye, and that's it).