Labelling Men As Broken Implies That Men Are Fundamentally Flawed.
A Need To Revist How We Frame Men's Issues.
I've been thinking about the language that's frequently used when discussing men's lived experiences. Because of the intricacy of these issues, as well as a perceived lack of desire to nurture themselves and reluctance to explore therapy, males are sometimes referred to as broken.
The term "broken man syndrome," which describes men who feel overwhelmed by various pressures and challenges in their lives and experience significant mental health struggles, may draw attention to the seriousness of certain issues faced by men. However, this language is dehumanizing and suggests that men are fundamentally flawed and irreparable. Unhelpful framing marginalizes these problems and shrouds those who are already coping with negative core narratives and beliefs in shame.
“Brokenness, in God's eyes, is being so crushed by the sin and darkness of the world that we recognize there is no place to turn but to God.”
I believe that redefining broken men as wounded men offers men hope for healing and can be experienced as a transformational pathway toward becoming more agile and purposeful versions of themselves. By tending to such wounds, men's sense of agency and responsibility is affirmed, and they are better able to see themselves as whole, feeling human beings who can navigate those muddy waters in a way that is both empowering and beneficial to our wellbeing. It serves as a reminder that we are not alone in our challenges and that, sometimes, we must reach into our inner wisdom for support when things get hard.
Wounds are curable, even though they may leave scars that we will always carry with us. We may come out of adverisities bruised and hurting but never broken and helpless, as they say,
"A knight in shining armor is a knight who has never been in a fight."
Healing our wounds might involve a combination of professional assistance, community, and self-compassion, as well as the ability to stick with the journey and trust the process. Our scars can serve as invaluable tools for learning to others and future generations.
For the man experiencing brokenness, defeat, and abuse in life, keep in mind that the words you choose to define yourself or the words you let others define you, along with the circumstances surrounding you, shape the world you live in. Even though it could be difficult at times, take a deep breath, stand back, lean into your intense feelings, and accept them for what they are. If you are fortunate enough to have a professional or other person who can listen to you and hold space for you, connect with them.
Peace and Love, brother.