Jovial – “Being a man is an incredibly tough job!”.
Written by Zenna Issa on September 9, 2024
Kenyan musician Jovial has urged people to give men’s emotional health greater consideration, pointing out that a lot of guys experience mental illness in quiet.
She made the point that men are typically socialised and raised to repress their emotions, which makes it difficult for them to talk candidly about their difficulties.
Jovial emphasised the significance of following up with males since it’s possible that they’re carrying heavy emotional loads that they’re not talking about.
She pointed out that males tend to suppress their grief since it is expected of them to be tough and resilient, which can have detrimental effects on their mental health.
As a mother, she empathises with the challenges men face, stating, “Yesterday I realized being a man is an incredibly tough job! When I’m frustrated, I usually lock myself in and cry until I feel better. I’m a crybaby (you could hire me for that) – jokes aside! I hate sharing my problems, but the only thing that gives me strength is crying.”
Jovial expressed her disappointment with the double standards that society expects men and women to follow in expressing their emotions.
“Some women talk about it; in short, women are vocal, emotional, and expressive! But when a man cries, he’s seen as weak. If a man opens up, people say, ‘You’re a man, after all!’ Men are human too; they have feelings. We should learn to ask our fathers, brothers, sons, and men in our lives if they’re okay.”