International Men’s Day is celebrated every year on November 19. It is a special occasion to appreciate the contribution of positive male models not only in the family, but also in society.
The idea of a special day dedicated to men may seem strange in some quarters, because toxic masculinity is still a major and seemingly ever-present social issue in the world. However, it is important to note that there are also men who have made significant contributions to improving the lives of everyone around them by making them feel loved, showing them respect, encouraging them to pursue their ambitions and instilling progressive values in those by example. .
International Men’s Day is about such role models, many of whom may be unsung heroes who have made personal sacrifices to ensure that their loved ones have peaceful, fulfilling, enriching and exciting lives.
It is important to note that the idea of having a special day for men is also to help them understand, nurture or strengthen their social, cultural and humanitarian values and ensure a just and safe society.
Awareness of men’s health is another area where International Men’s Day plays a very significant role. According to Harvard Health Publishing of Harvard Medical School, men not only die at a younger age than women, but are also more prone to disease during their lifetime.
“Men are nearly 10 times more likely than women to have inguinal hernias and five times more likely to have aortic aneurysms,” says Harvard.
In a 2018 report on men’s health in the European Region, the World Health Organization said 86 percent of all male deaths can be attributed to non-communicable diseases and injuries.
According to the WHO, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and respiratory diseases were the leading causes of death among men in the region. Injuries were the second leading cause of death for men and the leading cause of death for boys aged 5-19.
In other words, men, whether in the European Region or anywhere else in the world, face very serious health risks, which, according to some studies, they often tend to ignore or completely underestimate.
Therefore, International Men’s Day aims to make men not only more progressive in their outlook towards society, but also to spread awareness about their personal health and take it seriously.
Here’s what you need to know about International Men’s Day and this year’s theme
The Australian-based Dads4Kids Fatherhood Foundation is known for sponsoring the celebration of International Men’s Day. According to the foundation, there are ‘six pillars of men’s day’ that govern its founding principles. They are:
1. Promoting positive male role models, including working class men,
2. Celebrating the positive contributions of men to society and the environment,
3. Focusing on men’s health and well-being,
4. Emphasis on discrimination against men, including under the law,
5. Promotion of gender equality and improvement of gender relations,
6. Creating a safe world.
What is the theme of International Men’s Day 2022?
The theme for International Men’s Day 2022 is “Helping Men and Boys”. According to the Dads4Kids Fatherhood Foundation, the theme specifically highlights one of the six pillars — men’s health and well-being — but is also consistent with other pillars that help men directly or indirectly.
As part of the 2022 theme, the foundation emphasizes a point raised by Dr. Warren Farrell, co-author of The Boys Crisis – Why our boys are struggling and what we can do about it.
“Boys are falling dramatically in almost every key metric…that’s what the Boy Crisis is all about,” Dr. Farrell.
“Our mission this year is to help individuals, families, churches, communities, small businesses and corporations, including NGOs and governments, to work together to help men and boys,” the foundation says on its official website. .
In addition, the foundation as well as its official website for International Men’s Day shared the thoughts of Cassie Jaye, director of The Red Pillwhich she famously said in a TEDx talk in October 2017.
“After years of researching and fact-checking what men’s rights activists were telling me, there is no denying that there are many human rights issues that disproportionately or uniquely affect men,” Jaye said at TEDx.
The official International Men’s Day website adds that the day “encourages men to teach the boys in their lives the values, character and responsibilities of being a man”.
The website also highlights the importance of the month of November for the event known as “Movember”.
Many men around the world especially sport mustaches throughout the month to raise awareness of men’s health. Fundraisers are also held around the world to raise money for men’s health causes and other issues such as prostate cancer, suicide prevention and mental well-being.
The International Men’s Day website notes that November 20 is celebrated as International Children’s Day. As such, it helps create a 48-hour period that celebrates both husbands, children and their relationships.
A special topic in Australia
The Australian Men’s Health Forum (AMHF) has its own International Men’s Day website. On August 10, 2022, they shared a statement from AMHF CEO Glen Poole, who is also the founder of the organization Stop Male Suicide.
Poole called for a special theme titled “Celebrating Mateship” to mark International Men’s Day on November 19 in Australia.
“Community is a key feature of Australian national identity and has a special connection with close male friendships,” Poole’s statement said.
“In Australian culture, mating is often seen as an archetypal masculine value and virtue. “So many strengths-based men’s health projects have capitalized on this positive male trait,” Poole writes.
The origin of International Men’s Day
The first International Men’s Day was held as an annual event on February 7, 1992. It was organized by Thomas Oaster, an American professor of the Missouri Center for Men’s Studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. However, its lack of popularity led to the discontinuation of the event.
The event was revived in 1999 by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh, a history professor at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. He observed International Men’s Day on November 19 – a date he chose to honor his father who was born on that date.
The efforts of Dr. Teelucksingh led to the recognition and acceptance of International Men’s Day worldwide. Celebrations began in several countries on this date, including Australia in 2003 and India in 2007.
Not to rival International Women’s Day
While International Women’s Day has been celebrated since 1909, discussions of a similar day dedicated to men only began in the 1960s.
These discussions were about the idea that many men have made positive contributions to society and there was a need to talk about their well-being.
As such, a day for men was not conceived in response to International Women’s Day, but to highlight the health problems faced by men around the world.
It is best underlined by the thoughts of Dr. Teelucksingh for International Men’s Day.
“The concept and themes of International Men’s Day are designed to give hope to the despondent, faith to the lonely, comfort to the broken-hearted, to overcome barriers, eliminate stereotypes and create a better humanity. careful,” Dr. is quoted as saying. Teelucksingh. in the founder’s statement on the International Men’s Day website.
Today, International Women’s Day is a major international event held every year on March 8. It has made a tremendous contribution to the promotion of gender equality and is one of the greatest movements of the 20th century.
The historically significant day recognized around the world is also recognized by the United Nations – a status not enjoyed by International Men’s Day.
How to celebrate International Men’s Day?
It is important to recognize the contribution of men to society as part of International Men’s Day. Celebrated around the world, different groups may have their own unique programs or degrees to mark the event and honor positive role models of the neighborhood, society or city.
The International Men’s Day website has an official certificate that anyone can use to recognize men or boys for making a difference.
On a more personal level, people can buy expensive gifts as a token of appreciation for men who have made a difference in their lives. There is no shortage of expensive gifts for men. Among the many things to buy for men are the Apple Watch Series 8, a luxury Dior gardening kit and premium shaving kits.
Raising awareness about men’s health is important for everyone. As the theme of International Men’s Day 2022 is “Helping Men and Boys”, the event is a great way for all well-meaning men to express their admiration for the men and boys in their lives with messages of hope, love , inspiration and gratitude.
In addition, it is also a great opportunity to help men with health problems, either in the family or in a circle of friends, and to show them that they have the support of many good people.
For those who want to celebrate this day, the internet offers a host of amazing International Men’s Day wishes to share on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and WhatsApp. Moreover, some of the funniest memes can bring a smile to the faces of boys and men of any age group.
(Main image: Matheus Ferrero/@matheusferrero/Unsplash; Featured Image: Kristino Boxers/@kristinoboxers/Unsplash)
