As my wife always says to me "Men are from Mars" when it comes to expressing my feelings and I think she is right. Men, at least in our culture here in the USA, tend to be fearful that if they won't appear "manly" (whatever that means) if they show or feel real intimate emotions and I think most boys are programed to act in a certain "manly" fashion when they are told "don't cry" or "boys don't hug."

I know this happened in my family when my father told my sons (his grandsons) that boys don't hug. Well, my wife and I didn't agree with that philosophy and instructed the boys to always hug grandpa and I too began to hug my father more. He eventually got used to this and I think looked forward to our hugs. Now I watch my grandsons and am waiting to see if this philosopy has carried over to another generation. Only time will tell.