On International Men’s Day, highlights the emotional struggles men face due to societal pressures and patriarchal conditioning.
She calls for safe spaces, understanding, and the freedom for men to express vulnerability without judgment.
On International Men’s Day, actress Pratiksha Rai, who has been part of shows like Vasudha, Udann, Pavitra Bhagya, Nath – Zewar Ya Zanjeer, and Titlie, spoke about the emotional struggles men face in today’s society and the deep-rooted conditioning that often forces them to bottle up their feelings. She emphasises that men are often denied safe spaces to express vulnerability, and the societal expectation to “always be strong” can lead to long-term emotional stress.
Pratiksha believes that while some men are beginning to show their emotions, the majority still hesitate. “Society still labels them as cry-boys or weak if they show emotions. Since childhood, we tell boys not to cry and not to express what they feel. That suppression turns into anger,” she said, adding that anger issues in men often stem from unexpressed pain and emotional pressure.
She highlights that despite gradual changes, men still lack safe spaces. She explained, “Men need non-judgmental conversations, emotional reassurance and sometimes even professional guidance. But they hesitate to seek help because they’re taught to solve everything on their own.”
What makes it worse, she added, are the labels society places on men. She said, “If a man listens to his wife, mother, or sister, he’s called joru ka ghulam or mama’s boy. These tags stop men from expressing what they feel or taking advice from people who care.”
She underlined that patriarchal conditioning affects both genders. “Men are always told to be strong. They can’t cry or express their trauma, heartbreak, or career struggles. That silence turns into emotional overload. So many men suffer quietly. Some even take extreme steps like suicide, not because they’re weak but because they had no space to express their pain,” she explained.
Pratiksha also pointed out how simple, everyday gestures can ease emotional burdens. She said, “Just ask what’s going on in their mind, what work suits them, or whether they want to work from home. Earlier, working from home was judged, as if a man wasn’t doing enough. This pressure eats them from inside.”
