Is it normal that my boyfriend feels like less of a man for crying?

Only real men cry.

Sure, most guys casually accept the idea that we're not supposed to cry and are supposed to be strong.

But this is his mom...who's dying. Sorry, but you can be Chuck f'ing Norris and still cry in this situation.

If I may conjecture, if he's the oldest of a few children, then he may very well need to be strong for the rest of them, in which case, he may need an outlet (you) on which to lay his emotions.

This is a very sad story. Let him know it's okay to cry, and that it doesn't make him any less of a man. Everyone cries. It's a natural way for us to relieve pain. I find it very annoying that society emasculates men for crying. That's just not fair. I think that there would be a lot less anger violence in men if they didn't feel like they're not allowed to cry.

I feel that in the given situation, if he did not cry, I would say that is abnormal. Crying, to me, is usually a sign of the person actually caring.

Something's are really heavy and can hurt. It just means you are human if you cry. Suppression can be detrimental to ones emotional well being. Only a true heart sprouts a lachrymal cloud

It's very normal. In the same way that, for example, society conditions women to be skinny, it also conditions men that crying is weak. It's normal (but very sad) that a lot of men think that way.

Any real man would cry in his situation.

A real manly mans man isn't afraid to cry

What really?

Come on, crying shows you can let out your emotions. It's no where near weak. It's good way to vent out the stress that is built up inside too.

He isn't less of a man by crying. I can't help but want to cry when I see a man cry truthfully. Just something about it, especailly if he is a sweet man. :)

Ohh that's harsh : ( Poor guy. It's not as though he was crying over something trivial! I actually think it's really manly if a man can be open with his emotions and cry if he's upset. He's a human being with feelings! Men have been socially conditioned to think that crying is weak. All you can do is try to reassure him that it's fine and doesn't bother you and I guess be there for him at this difficult time. I would actualy encourage him to let it out or he may end up with a lot of pent up negative emotion.

I don't know where the idea comes from that men showing emotion equates to weakness.

While I feel men are obligated to be strong and emotionless in public, I believe EVERYONE should be entitled to be as emotional as they want around those they love and trust.

Your boyfriend has experienced something extremely sad and traumatic and had probably been holding it the whole day and had to finally release it.
You should feel honoured that he has chosen you to support him in his moment of weakness. He wouldn't have come to you like that if he didn't trust you and love you.

In my personal case, I feel that I am no longer capable of showing emotion. I have cried out all of my tears in my childhood and have none left.
I am unmoved by even extreme situations and I sometimes feel like a heartless bastard for it.

I myself don't understand crying, it is such a pointless reaction. Then again i also believe there is no experience too great that you can't just shrug off and move on with your life.

He does feel things and he listens to me and has no problem showing his emotions to me it's everyone else that's the problem

It is not normal that he equates the grief, pain and loss that crying expresses with being weak. And it is not normal that he ignores you.

What is happening with mom is sad. But you may want to make a note of his limited emotional range, lack of self-empathy, and refusal to listen. These are signs that he is not much of a man yet, and you are both I gather, young so maturity is a factor. Otherwise I think it could play out as real problems in a mature relationship.

I doubt whoever made up the whole "real men don't cry" hadn't gone through anything that would make anyone cry.

I cried like a fucking baby when I lost my brother. I don't give a FUCK.

In this case he would be just really disrespectful for not even crying. But I think real man doesn't need to show his
"manliness" by not crying.

I think loads of men think that.
I'm a girl so it's not my problem I can cry as much as I want (which is good because I cry loads with movies), but if i was a guy it would bother me to think i can't cry.
to be honest, i'm not sure i have seen many guys crying. i have seen some, and tried to cheer them up as much as i could!! (: i obviously didn't laugh at them or thought they weren't real men.

Some people dislike crying and would do their utmost to stop themselves.

They see it as a sign of weakness and not for what it really is.

Next time he goes off on his own leave him be but also be there for him.

Crying is fine. .. not that I cry of course.