By: Maria Villarreal | @embarazo.parto.postparto.
I am part of a generation that was made to believe that crying is a sign of weakness, that it's shameful or pathetic, that it's regrettable, and that it's wrong. These preconceptions particularly affect men, who were encouraged to be "real men," to suppress emotions even if it leads them to anguish, but silently, and to become ill. These repressive actions, affecting everyone but even more so men, contribute to higher rates of coronary diseases and suicides among men compared to women.
Moreover, in the postmodern era, we are taught to push our bodies and minds to an extreme level to generate ideas and carry out actions incessantly. On top of that, we are expected to do so with a smile on our faces regardless of our emotional state. In this context, taking a moment to cry becomes difficult.
There's also the misguided notion that if a mother or father cries due to exhaustion from caregiving and household responsibilities, they are ungrateful or bad people.
Lastly, social media, mass media, and advertisements from big companies tell us that we must enjoy life to the fullest without pause, urging us to always seek original and unique experiences. Crying seems to be excluded from this lifestyle.
However, everyone needs to release their emotions from time to time. And if I don't convince you from a psychological standpoint, let me share from a biological perspective that tears expel neurotransmitters, enzymes, minerals, and proteins that accumulate in the body during times of stress. If not expelled, these substances keep the body in a state of tension that is harmful.
Perhaps it's time to stop saying "Oh, she cries over anything," "Crying is for weaklings," "Don't cry, it bothers me," "Crying is for the weak," and finally acknowledge that expressing emotions and showing vulnerability is a form of courage – maybe not the most dignified, but certainly the most powerful.
Maria Villarreal MarÃa Villarreal Uralde. Bachelor's in Obstetrics, graduate of the University of Buenos Aires (Argentina) with honors. Also a university-level educator, having completed studies at the University of Salvador in Buenos Aires. Completed Obstetrics Residency and Instructor Training, currently working at a Public Hospital in her country. Offers workshops for pregnant individuals and families on pregnancy changes, labor and delivery, and breastfeeding. A mother to a baby, from whom she learned even more about the perinatal stage.
For more information, follow her on Instagram at @embarazo.parto.postparto