How did this western societal idea of how a man should act, and what emotions are appropriate to show come about? How far back in western history does this idea of limiting men’s ability to emote honestly go? And how did these ideas change over time?

It’s interesting to me because I feel like these traditional and limited roles that western society puts on men (and women) are just that traditions. That it’s just something “that we do because past generations did them.” So my curiosity is why did past generations have these societal rules in place? was there a legitimate reason for it, did having men be almost robotic even in the privacy of his home and around his family have some necessary and important reason? If so is that still necessary today?

Edit: had this posted on c/asklemmy but it was suggested this was a better place for this question.

  • 1984
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    1 day ago

    It makes sense that the physically stronger gender becomes the protector, yes. Who else?

    The perceived need you talk about was very real. Women would get raped or killed with no protection.

    • spujb@lemmy.cafe
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      18 hours ago

      Women would get raped or killed

      By whom? 🤔

      And yes it does make sense that the physically stronger sex becomes the protector. Feminists will agree with you on this.

      But they will take immediate issue with your supposition that men therefore need to be emotionally repressed in order to protect women from… most often, themselves.

      • 1984
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        14 hours ago

        I don’t know where that comes from. Emotionally repressed? I agree men doesn’t need to be emotionally repressed.

        • spujb@lemmy.cafe
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          14 hours ago

          The perceived need you talk about was very real.

          Well the perceived need I talk about had to do with emotional repression, so looks like you badly misunderstood.

          • 1984
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            13 hours ago

            I meant the need to be protected by men.