In today’s world, the quest for meaningful connections seems to be heading in some oddball directions. Apparently, there’s a new problem on the horizon, one that involves male loneliness and, according to some, is linked to the mass of men being raised to express their “feelings.” The consequence? Young women are finding it it’s too much to handle. There’s a notion floating around social media platforms, especially TikTok, that guys have become a burden with their emotional baggage, something that’s arguably a bit snide and overly simplistic.

Now, one could wonder, isn’t this situation a bit tragic? It all boils down to guys growing up in a society that’s flipped the script. Historically, they were told to bottle things up, be tough, and now, the encouragement to let it all out has left them feeling a little unmoored. And the cherry on the cake? The narrative has twisted so that this newfound vulnerability is seen as a nuisance for the women in their lives.

An astute observation might be that relationships are meant to be a two-way street. Thinking that one should keep a tally of emotional support given seems absurd. Being there for a partner, regardless of the ups and downs, should be a given. Some may argue that if emotional sharing feels burdensome, it might signal something amiss in the relationship itself. The call to have men get a life outside the romantic relationship, hanging out with their own friends, is often humorously solved by the invention of the “man park” — a place akin to where canines frolic but for men to network and bond. Naturally, this premise may elicit some chuckles, but is it really a solution?

Moreover, the idea that male sensitivity could drive a woman up the wall is arguably exaggerated. The phenomenon, if it’s a real issue and not some online sensationalism, raises the question of whether people have cast “feelings” as the epicenter of modern relationships. This seems slightly contradictory considering any decent relationship expert will advise that it’s essential to articulate feelings for healthy partnerships to blossom.

This so-called emotional wave seems to be your typical cycle of societal change where what was once touted as a virtue – emotional fortitude – has become a source of critique. It’s a baffling dance of irony where expressing vulnerability morphs into a perceived weakness. Perhaps, instead of blaming emotions on TikTok’s burgeoning influence, it might be worth reflecting on a balance. After all, both women and men deserve to have real partnerships where the give and take of emotional support aren’t marked as a chore, but as a natural, desired aspect of loving and living together.