What makes men afraid to show their real emotion?

because some men have too much pride and alot of men have been hurt before when they did show their emotions so it caused them to not show their feelings anymore.

All of the reasons that you cited and the fact that men are taught from childhood that men don't show weakness and although having feelings isn't weak, men see it differently.

Thanks anexO8, for putting forth a subject of discussion with multiple facets and possibilities! I'm quite sure that this will be a topic that will still be debated in the next millennia, (lol, if the world lasts that long). If people put any thought into your question, you should garner a good many responses from it, hopefully some from a few brave men who are willing to "put themselves out there". After reading the responses so far, it's pretty obvious that the majority of people feel that up-bringing and peer pressure have much to do with a man's reluctance to show traditionally feminine signs of emotion. Sadness and fear are two of these, but let's not forget that tenderness and nurturing behaviors are also sometimes difficult for the traditional male to express. If one looks back a few centuries, it is easy to understand the emphasis on the old masculine standards of strength as opposed to the old feminine standards of hearth and home. Folks, it started in the cave! Change and evolution takes time of course. We mustn't forget that as recently as the 1800's, a man was almost completely responsible for the support and protection of the family unit, while a woman's responsibility centered around the home, the children, and the welfare of the man, without whom all a woman held dear was plunged into hardship. Indeed, it's very existance was in jeopardy. Things are different now of course, but sometimes we have a hard time keeping up with the changes a modern world demands. By nature, the females of a culture are the more adaptible creatures. We sort of "wrap ourselves around" the positive and negative aspects of our invironment, and adapt accordingly---- again, usually for our own good and the good of the family unit. For this reason, it has probably also been easier for women generally, to adapt to life "outside the cave", as evidenced by our increased pursuit of good education and our willingness to more aggressively compete for traditionally male-oriented career opportunities with commensurate wages. Male or female, it's a difficult balance in this new world. Some cultures, and some individuals have found it easier to master than others. My own father is a fine example of this, (my avitar is a picture of him with my granddaughter). He is a man who is comfortable and confident in his masculine skin. He loves home, his wife, children, flowers, and beautiful things. He can build a house or pluck a wildflower bouquet for mom, (who is also a very "evolved" retired career woman), wrestle a steer or gently cradle a baby. He can and does have the strength to preserve and protect what is dear to him, along with the pure confidence in his maleness to do the dishes, vacuum, or weep along with us when the occasion calls for weeping--- all without worry that he might be less masculine. He, (and we, his family), have been fortunate to experience that these aspects can happily coexist in the same individual without regard to gender. It has set the standard for the evolution of the following generations of our family and better prepared all of us for the demands of the future. Yes, it's unfortunate that there aren't more men who understand that life can be better enjoyed once they embrace the duality of their natures, but let's face it, some skills are more difficult to acquire and some changes more difficult to accept, especially for those with the added complication of an up-bringing that contradicts what the modern world demands of them. Just as in all of nature, I'm sure that ultimately, "natural selection" will be the key to it all. Men and women have to stop selecting unsuitable life partners with the idea that they might be able to change the qualities that disappoint. Instead, we have to seek out those with qualities that most mesh with our own, and be prepared to accept those small differences that remain. In this way, (and over time), future generations of our sons and daughters will come forth who will be comfortable in the role of well-rounded human being, without stressing over the traits each gender is supposed to exhibit. LOL, I'll bet you thought I was writing a novel here! I just happen to be fascinated with the subject and glad to have an opportunity to offer input. I don't respond to a lot of disscussions, but tend to pick and choose those that strike a chord with me, and I give those few a lot of thought. Again, thanks for your insight. Great topic! smiles, ink

It could be they want to appear as macho, strong...the idea could have been drummed into them since young, that boys (or men) don't cry!

Hey there anex08, I think your analysis on why men are afraid to show their feelings are accurate enough. Some guys are afraid to show their feelings because their friends or dads will say, 'men do not cry'. It is an unwritten rule and those who dare to disobey it will be called sissies. It is just the mentality of men.