A Changing Conversation Around Men

The idea of masculinity is not what it used to be. As International Men’s Day 2025 arrives, the conversations happening in homes, offices and college corridors feel different. Men today are speaking more openly, listening with more patience and beginning to shed the old mould of silence that long defined them.

The shift is noticeable in public life too. Younger actors, creators and athletes are not afraid to discuss vulnerability, therapy, or boundaries. Among those voices is actor Abhay Verma, who reflects on how both men and women are engaging more comfortably with topics that earlier carried awkwardness or discomfort.

A New Kind of Openness

One of the most telling signs of change, Abhay says, is how women today feel more at ease talking to men about issues earlier considered off-limits. Discussions around periods, emotional stress, or experiences of daily discomfort are no longer treated as taboo.

This ease did not appear overnight. It came from slow shifts: parents raising boys differently, workplaces adopting better sensitivity training, and friendships offering safer space for expression. When women speak with more comfort, it signals that men have grown in awareness not perfectly but noticeably.

From Alpha Expectations to Real Connection

The older stereotype of the “alpha male” always acted as a template: tough, quiet, emotionless, and constantly in control. But the template cracked over time. The constant pressure to always “man up” showed its cost - burnout, loneliness, and suppressed emotional health.

Young men today, Abhay observes, are choosing a different path. They value empathy as much as ambition. They appreciate partnership instead of dominance. They do not view sensitivity as weakness.

This generation does not see masculinity and gentleness as opposites. They believe both can exist together.

How Daily Life Reflects This Shift

The change isn’t limited to discussions in the entertainment world. Across Indian cities:

• Men accompany partners to doctor visits far more frequently.
• Friends check on each other after bad days, not just celebrations.
• Social media conversations highlight mental health without fear of judgement.
• Younger boys in schools talk openly about pressure rather than hiding it.

These small, consistent behaviours tell a story: the definition of strength is expanding.

Influence of Popular Culture

Cinema and OTT platforms have played an unexpected supporting role. Characters that once glorified unshakeable toughness now show emotional layers. Even romantic movies today allow men to express fear, confusion and affection without mockery.

This representation matters. It signals to young men that they don’t need to perform masculinity; they can live it honestly.

What Makes International Men’s Day Relevant

While the day doesn’t carry the same visibility as some other observances, it holds its own place. It reminds society that empowering men emotionally, socially and mentally improves relationships, families, and communities.

Men’s issues - burnout, loneliness, work stress and identity pressure - often go unspoken because society expects them to endure silently. A day like this gives permission to talk, reflect and reset.

The Pressure No One Sees

Many men describe an invisible workload: the expectation to provide, protect and rarely complain.

When society assumes men don’t need help, they quietly absorb stress until it becomes overwhelming.

International Men’s Day encourages breaking this cycle. It reminds everyone that men can be caretakers while needing care, confident while needing support, and responsible without being invincible.

Abhay Verma’s Take on Sensitivity

Abhay’s own observations echo what many young Indians feel today. He notes that men who listen, communicate and respond with respect naturally create safe spaces around them. This, he says, is why conversations even around topics like menstrual health have become easier.

When men drop fear of judgement, women drop fear of discomfort.

Raising the Next Generation Differently

Parents are now raising boys with gentler messages:

• It’s okay to cry.
• It’s okay to say you’re tired.
• It’s okay to take a step back.
• It’s okay to speak honestly.

Schools too are beginning to include workshops on consent, boundaries and emotional balance. These changes shape the next generation long before adulthood.

Workplaces Responding to Emotional Needs

Corporate India is also acknowledging men’s emotional reality. Companies increasingly offer:

• Counselling tie-ups
• Stress-management sessions
• Paternity leave
• Safer reporting systems for mental health issues

These policies signal that emotional stability is as important for men as professional output.

A United Indian Perspective

Modern Men, Modern Dialogues

For The United Indian, the evolving idea of masculinity reflects a larger societal shift. A healthier, more balanced definition of manhood benefits everyone - families, workplaces and communities. If awareness around International Men’s Day encourages even a few more honest conversations, it marks progress worth appreciating.