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It’s a common belief that men usually need more time to process their emotions and finally express them. Because of their nature, men tend to look for a rational solution to an emotional problem, but in most cases, there are no such solutions to emotional issues. This is probably why so many fathers don’t show their emotions too often, especially in the relationship with their sons. Think about it. Have you ever seen a father-son pair being overly sentimental or hugging and kissing frequently? Probably not. However, you probably witnessed father-daughter pairs doing this as often as possible. It is because men behave differently toward their own gender, especially when it comes to expressing their own feelings.

In this article, we will be talking about the reasons why it is perfectly fine for dads to express their emotions toward their sons too and stop putting on a brave mask. It may be in their nature to appear a bit distant, but there’s a fire burning inside them for sure.

Fathers show affection differently

Men are a category of people who prefer letting their actions speak rather than verbally expressing emotions. There is a suave subtlety in the way they like to show their love and affection, and this can be seen in most father-son relationships since the beginning of time. The big problem here is that from the outside or from the point of view of a mother or daughter, this doesn’t seem enough. However, men know that sometimes a simple handshake can mean more than a thousand words. Men are capable of affectionate behavior but most of them would rather act in a supportive manner than say loving words. Men do like to express their love verbally, but it’s probably a lot less common behavior than one might think.

This behavior is often more visible around a man’s guy friends. They don’t go around saying, “I love you” to one other but would much rather spend time together having fun. When it comes to their relationship with their mothers, wives or daughters, the same thing applies. They may not express their love verbally or too frequently, but they always want to help and support them in any way they can.

No father-son relationship is perfect, but it doesn’t have to be like this. Not expressing your feelings frequently doesn’t mean that there is no love involved. In a society where words seem to matter more than actions, such problems are frequent. However, a father and his son are still part of a family which should always come first no matter what.

The father-son relationship

Most people forget to look at a father-son relationship from an evolutionary point of view. They are still two males which have been trained by society to hold back any sign of affection or intimacy. Traditionally, men need to compete against each other and to be independent, instead of spending time hugging. This is how the majority of cultures see this bond, one that has evolved over the years but still kept its core.

It’s also worth noting that fathers are usually affectionate toward their sons up until they become teenagers. At that point, something changes, and things become colder. They no longer share words, but actions. However, wanting a relationship to become more outspoken is not wrong at all. It’s interesting that there are fathers and sons who have learned to express their feelings and don’t find anything weird about that. They are a minority, but they do exist.

It’s ok for dads to show their emotions

In a society that is more and more guided by social media and technology, teenagers and young adults need something to hold on to. For boys, these roots are their fathers, who need to learn that expressing their feelings is no longer frowned upon. Society has changed and not always for the better, so children need support to cope with the outside world. They need to be taught that forcing someone to talk about their emotions is wrong, but that most people will eventually open up. These people only need a little bit more time, that’s all.

“Does my son know how much I care about him and how important he is to me?”

It’s ok to cry, to get angry, to feel disappointment or happiness, to laugh, and to feel sad. People are capable of so many complex emotions that it can sometimes get scary. This is why human interaction is a must, especially in a father-son relationship. It may not be the most comfortable thing at first, but it will surely be worth it.

Conclusion

All in all, probably the most important lesson that everyone needs to learn is that certain bonds will never get broken. The society’s norms, shame or insecurities don’t matter when there’s a strong connection between family members. Fathers should feel proud each time they step outside with their sons and to understand that there’s nothing wrong with showing the world what both of them already know that they have: love.

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