Current:Home > NewsJustin Bieber broke down crying on Instagram. Men should pay attention. -Wealth Pursuit Network
Justin Bieber broke down crying on Instagram. Men should pay attention.
View
Date:2025-04-13 19:57:38
Justin Bieber is sharing his tears for the world to see − and, by doing so, he's sending an important message to men.
That message is that it's OK to cry − something experts in psychology have said is crucial for men to understand, especially as it pertains to forming lasting relationships and boosting their overall wellbeing.
"People tend to have certain expectations for what behaviors are typical and expected of men and women in U.S. society," Sapna Cheryan, professor of social psychology at the University of Washington, previously told USA TODAY. "Women — and not men — are expected to be the nurturers and caregivers. When someone violates these expectations, it can be surprising and draw attention."
Bieber proves 'men don't cry' is a thing of the past
On Sunday, Bieber posted a series of photos on Instagram, including pictures of him performing onstage. Two of the pictures, however, were selfies that showed tears streaming down his face. The singer did not share what made him cry or the context of the photos.
His crying drew plenty of strong reactions in the comment section, where fans flocked to express their concern. The singer's wife Hailey Bieber also offered support, calling her husband "a pretty crier."
The crying photos of Bieber surprised some fans; however, people shouldn't be too shocked. After all, opinions of masculinity are changing − and that includes society's acceptance of men who share their feelings.
Benjamin Calixte, founder of Therapy For Black Men, previously explained that watching classic “manly men” − like professional athletes such as Travis and Jason Kelce, for example − cry reminds us emotions don’t discriminate based on sex or gender.
"Men are becoming more emotionally expressive than ever,” Calixte said. "The trope of 'men don't cry' is a thing of the past, which is a complete paradigm shift."
More:Men are going to brutal boot camps to reclaim their masculinity. How did we get here?
What are the benefits of crying?
Plus, crying is good for you, no matter your sex or gender.
Studies suggest crying activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which eases one out of “fight or flight” and into “rest and digest” mode. Crying also releases feel-good hormones that relieve pain and reduce stress. Some researchers have hypothesized the rhythmic inhalation of cool air when sobbing may have “mood-improving effects.”
In many cases, crying is most therapeutic when it’s personally meaningful or relevant because it may elicit empathy and social support from others, said Lauren Bylsma, an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh who has studied the effects of crying. (Some researchers have suggested crying protected our ancestors from violence within their communities by encouraging bonding.)
Crying alone is especially powerful, Bylsma said, because it “forces the person to focus on the situation that induced the tears, which may lead to a new understanding and facilitate processing of emotions or lead to some solution.”
More:Jason Kelce's retirement tears hold an important lesson for men: It's OK to cry
Men are facing a loneliness crisis. Crying about it may actually help.
Men are also more lonely than ever − and experts say a reluctance to share their emotions is likely contributing to it.
In a 2021 survey by the Survey Center on American Life, only 21% of men said they received emotional support from a friend within the past week, compared to 41% of women. Just 25% of men said they told a friend they loved them within the past week, as opposed to 49% of women.
This website wants to help you cry.Why that's a good thing.
"A lot of men are lonely because they lack the ability to put emotions into words, which makes it hard for them to form relationships," Ronald Levant, professor emeritus of psychology at The University of Akron and co-author of "The Tough Standard: The Hard Truths about Masculinity and Violence," previously said. "The inability to put their emotions into words leads to failures in relationships, (which) leads to loneliness."
A crucial step in overcoming loneliness, Levant said, is embracing your feelings and sharing them with people who love you. After all, when men give voice to their feelings, he says, their relationships tend to improve.
Contributing: Katie Camero, USA TODAY
veryGood! (734)
Related
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- Warming Trends: Nature and Health Studies Focused on the Privileged, $1B for Climate School and Old Tires Detour Into Concrete
- Space Tourism Poses a Significant ‘Risk to the Climate’
- An Unprecedented Heat Wave in India and Pakistan Is Putting the Lives of More Than a Billion People at Risk
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Cyberattacks on health care are increasing. Inside one hospital's fight to recover
- Opinion: The global gold rush puts the Amazon rainforest at greater risk
- Inside Malia Obama's Super-Private World After Growing Up in the White House
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- He's trying to fix the IRS and has $80 billion to play with. This is his plan
Ranking
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Proteger a la icónica salamandra mexicana implíca salvar uno de los humedales más importantes del país
- Blast Off With These Secrets About Apollo 13
- Mangrove Tree Offspring Travel Through Water Currents. How will Changing Ocean Densities Alter this Process?
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- Warming Trends: A Possible Link Between Miscarriages and Heat, Trash-Eating Polar Bears and a More Hopeful Work of Speculative Climate Fiction
- Climate Change Remains a Partisan Issue in Georgia Elections
- Unsold Yeezys collect dust as Adidas lags on a plan to repurpose them
Recommendation
Travis Hunter, the 2
Toyota to Spend $35 Billion on Electric Push in an Effort to Take on Tesla
Congress could do more to fight inflation
25 Cooling Products for People Who Are Always Hot
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Ryan Mallett’s Girlfriend Madison Carter Shares Heartbreaking Message Days After His Death
In Georgia, Warnock’s Climate Activism Contrasts Sharply with Walker’s Deep Skepticism
Cooling Pajamas Under $38 to Ditch Sweaty Summer Nights