By Erin Lindsay
19th Nov 2019
19th Nov 2019
November 19 is officially International Men’s Day, and Twitter users are weighing in on what the occasion means to them
We tend to celebrate a lot around International Women’s Day when it takes place in March every year. There are events, meet-ups, general goodwill to all women, and a sense of celebration. Do we do the same for International Men’s Day?
Many would say no. The majority of us don’t put the same amount of celebration into the men’s equivalent, and it’s become the subject of conversation over the past few years. This morning, Twitter users weighed in on what International Men’s Day means to them, and why we should celebrate the day that’s in it.
To all the men who complain every year about International Women’s Day and ask, “what about the men?”
It’s today. Today is #InternationalMensDay.
You’re welcome.— Paul Burston (@PaulBurston) November 19, 2019
Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chiefs of Staff Committee, Glenn Haughton OBE, gave his take on why it’s #TimeToTalk about mental health for men around the world. Gender roles are damaging for everyone, and toxic masculinity can particularly affect men when it comes to feeling able to let out their emotions.
#InternationalMensDay2019
1. Men cry
2. Men struggle
3. Men find it hard to talk
4. Men find it hard to share
5. Men have MH issues
6. Men suffer stress
7. Men have anxiety
8. Men die by suicide
9. It’s not unmanly to struggle
10 Men should not suffer in silence #TimetoTalk— Glenn Haughton OBE MBA (@SEAC_Defence) November 19, 2019
Not only that, but many people turned the tables on women who may be questioning the need for a day like today.
"So apparently today is #InternationalMensDay ? When is International Women's Day?????" Claire, CEO
— manwhohasitall (@manwhohasitall) November 19, 2019
While others used the opportunity to shine a light on men throughout history who were great allies to women in their lives.
For #InternationalMensDay – a thread of amazing Allies. First, Sir Walter Scott who supported several female writers including Susan Ferrier who found the 'burden of authorship' heavy. Scott called her his 'sister shadow' & said she was a better writer than him. (she was!)/1 pic.twitter.com/YmX4RmdtKI
— Sara Sheridan (@sarasheridan) November 19, 2019
Many other Twitter users encouraged others to consider male mental health as a big factor in today’s celebrations — male suicides account for 80% of the overall suicide rate in Ireland.
https://twitter.com/SheRa_Marley/status/1196711301113950209
And of course, Piers Morgan can always be counted on to weigh in on issues like this…
Happy #InternationalMensDay! @piersmorgan is determined to celebrate all things 'manly' this morning and wants your thoughts about what's great about being a bloke… pic.twitter.com/eiratY7CYk
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) November 19, 2019
And he is not afraid to argue his point with followers.
You're womansplaining me on how to celebrate #InternationalMensDay? Wow. https://t.co/Bax2gIrt3N
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 19, 2019
To everyone out there, have a lovely International Men’s Day, and remember to give the men in your life some extra love.
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