Sensitivity We All Shun From

Daglous Masveta & Bhekie Bhekie
As Movember progresses, raising awareness around men’s health and emotional well-being, one sensitive issue often swept under the rug is gradually emerging men’s silent psychological suffering, particularly within relationships and family dynamics.

While much focus is rightly placed on men’s physical health and mental wellness, it is important to acknowledge the layered psychological challenges men face behind closed doorsespecially those stemming from emotional neglect, gendered expectations, and a shift in traditional family structures.

One of the most overlooked concerns is the denial of conjugal rights an issue that many men are too shy or ashamed to speak openly about. In many households, men are quietly suffering not only from physical needs being unmet but also from a lack of emotional respect and recognition as heads of families. Gender equality, while necessary and vital, at times seems to tip the balance in ways that unintentionally marginalize the needs of men.

In some homes, women take complete control of the family’s finances, with men being given a “share” of their own salaries. As children grow, they often gravitate more toward their mothers, which can result in men feeling emotionally isolated and underappreciated. The sense of rejection, emotional distance, and burden of being solely responsible for providing without reciprocal support adds to deep-seated stress and loneliness.

Many men endure subtle forms of emotional and financial abuse, but due to societal expectations of stoicism and pride, they remain silent. This silence often contributes to long-term mental health problems, strained marriages, and in some cases, infidelity or emotional breakdowns.

This is not about downplaying women's struggles. Rather, it’s about opening space for honest conversations that men’s issues are also valid. Denying your partner conjugal rights without medical or agreed reasons is not just a private matter; it's a potential catalyst for larger relational disasters. The blame game helps no one, and pretending the issue doesn’t exist only deepens the wounds.

It’s time we acknowledged that men, too, need emotional support, respect and dignity in relationships. Movember isn’t just about prostate cancer it’s about recognizing and validating the full spectrum of what men go through behind their quiet smiles.

#keepingitblue 💙