Men must be strong, brave, and independent. They grow up with the pressure to suppress their fear and pain, to hide their softer emotions, to stand confidently in the face of challenge. New research shows that their brain circuits will architecturally change to reflect this emotional suppression. Although they crave closeness and cuddling as much or perhaps even more than women, if they show these desires, they are misjudged as soft or weak by other men and by women, too.

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