He’s Just a Boy… But No One Asks If He’s Okay

By Vanshika Kumar Rastogi

He’s born, and before he even learns how to tie his shoelaces, people start tying expectations around him.

They say, “Be strong.”“Don’t cry.”“You’re the man of the house now.”

So, he grows up learning to swallow his tears and silence his fears.

As he enters his teens, the pressure only piles on—Study hard. Clear entrance exams.Get a good job. Take care of your family.Provide for your wife. Raise your children right.Be a gentleman. Be perfect.

But no one ever says—“Are you doing, okay?”“Are you happy?”“Do you feel seen?”

He keeps pushing, even when it hurts. Fails a test? No sympathy. Heartbroken? “Be a man.”Struggling to figure life out? “Other boys are already ahead of you.”He’s expected to act mature, responsible, wise—but he’s just trying to survive.

And the truth? He’s tired. Not weak—just tired.

He’s juggling dreams with duties. Drowning in expectations no one talks about.And unlike what people assume—he feels. Deeply.He craves comfort, not just criticism. Support, not comparison.

Here’s the thing:We fight hard for our daughters—and we should.But sons deserve that same love.They too need space to feel, to stumble, to be vulnerable without being mocked.

To every parent, teacher, and friend—please remember:

• Boys aren’t born with shields. Don’t hand them one before they’ve even healed.

• Check on them. Not just when they succeed, but when they go silent.

• Celebrate their honesty. Applaud their emotions.

Let boys grow into men who aren’t just providers—but humans. Humans who feel safe being soft. Who don’t have to hide behind smiles and silent suffering.

To Every Boy Reading This Your pain is real. Your feelings matter. You don’t have to be invincible to be respected. You just have to be you—and that’s enough.

By Vanshika Kumar Rastogi