As an employee of Girls Inc., I often think about how many barriers girls face and ways that we can better equip them for the world. One of our activities in volunteer training is to brainstorm examples of discrimination that women and girls still face today, which often creates a lively and passionate discussion about the state of our society.

The other day, I was talking to one of my male friends about a dilemma he was having with a woman that he wanted to date. He explained to me how difficult it was to voice his feelings towards her because that “wasn’t his style.” I asked what he meant by that and it launched a long conversation about the way that crying was discouraged from an early age and how he was taught to be stoic. I thought long and hard about this: at what point do we tell boys that they’re supposed to be emotionless, tearless creatures? And what does this mean for our women?

I think it’s essential to recognize how important it is for children, regardless of their gender, to express themselves freely. I believe that equality begins when we start accepting each child’s individual self expression and passions, regardless of long enforced gender stereotypes. When men are able to express their feelings and women are able to boldly speak up, I know we’ll have a better society for our girls and all people.

Have you seen sensitivity discouraged in boys?