Online Reporter
B-Metro Reporter
AS the world marks Men’s Month and prepares to celebrate Father’s Day on June 21, it is time to shine the spotlight on a group that often carries society on its shoulders without asking for applause.
In many homes, fathers are the silent giants. They wake up before everyone else and often return home long after the children have gone to bed. They work long hours in offices, factories, mines, farms and on the streets, chasing a dream that is not always their own but one built around securing a better future for their families.
Many children grow up believing their fathers are distant, cold or unavailable. Yet the reality is often very different.
Dad is not absent because he does not care. He is absent because he is trying to put food on the table, pay school fees, cover rent and keep the lights on.
In many families, fathers quietly sacrifice their own comforts so their children can have opportunities they never had.
They wear old shoes so their children can get new ones. They postpone their own dreams so their families can pursue theirs.
Yet behind the strong face that society expects men to wear lies a burden many rarely speak about.
Research from around the world consistently shows that men die by suicide at higher rates than women. One reason is that many men are taught from a young age that crying is weakness and asking for help is a sign of failure. They are expected to be providers, protectors and problem-solvers, even when they themselves are struggling.
As a result, many carry stress, anxiety, depression and financial pressure in silence. Some battle hypertension, heart disease and other stress-related illnesses. Others suffer emotional breakdowns behind closed doors while continuing to smile in public.
This Father’s Day, let us celebrate responsible fathers not just with gifts, but with appreciation.
A simple “thank you”, a heartfelt conversation, a family meal or a thoughtful message can mean more than many realise. Families can also help by sharing responsibilities, reducing unnecessary pressure and creating spaces where fathers feel comfortable talking about their struggles.
Children should take time to understand the sacrifices their fathers make. Partners should acknowledge the load many men carry daily. Communities should encourage men to seek help when life becomes overwhelming.
A strong man is not one who suffers in silence. A strong man is one who knows when to speak, when to rest and when to ask for support.
This Men’s Month and Father’s Day, let’s salute the fathers, grandfathers, uncles and father figures who continue to stand tall through life’s storms.
They may not always say much, but their love is often written in sacrifice.
