INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY: RECOGNIZING CONTRIBUTIONS AND VULNERABILITIES

Recently on 19th November, we celebrated International Men's Day, a day dedicated to recognizing the contributions of men to their families and society as a whole.

- DR. PYALI CHATTERJEE

Men are often considered the strong pillars of both family and community. Even in religious contexts, men are often regarded as holding a positive and significant position.

It must be acknowledged that men have played a very important role in our lives since all of us have male figures like fathers, brothers, boyfriends, husbands, or others in our lives, and they will remain an integral part of our lives and society.

It was Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh who initiated the celebration of Men's Day in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999. He aimed to honor men's achievements and address the various issues impacting their lives.

With passing times and social transformation, problems and issues faced by the men have been changed.

The stereotype that men don't feel pain or cry has turned out to be a social myth that has denied their emotional vulnerability.

Men, too, just like women are human beings with emotions and struggles.

Recent social changes have made the shifting roles and perceptions of men come to the fore.

While men throughout history tended to be only viewed as perpetrators of crimes, women were the ones recognized as victims.

Today, both men are seen as potential victims while women as potential perpetrators in many areas.

As per the 2021 data of NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) out of the total suicide cases, 81,063 were married men who died by suicide in comparison to 28,680 married women.