A photo project about crying men, destroying well-known stereotypes

A young but already promising photographer, Maud Fernhout from the Netherlands, devoted her work to a somewhat unusual topic that is rarely discussed — whether men can cry. For a 19-year-old student of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Utrecht University, photography has always been a way to express herself and tell about her opinion, to help other people do the same, to open up to the whole world.

"Be a man" is a phrase we have heard since childhood, if not addressed to us, then to boys—friends, brothers and just passing children on the street. This phrase is repeated by men to their sons, since they were inspired by their parents from an early age. Being a real man means suppressing emotions, acting as if they don't exist. A striking example is that men should not cry, even in childhood.

Maud Fernhout said in the description of her photo project: "I believe that showing emotions and being open with people around you in this way is evidence of inner strength, not weakness at all." The models for the photo shoot were the girl's classmates.

Job, 18 years old: "I don't consider tears a sign of weakness. If I'm crying, it means I understand my emotions, I can move forward. It makes me stronger."

To get her models to cry, Maud put sad songs and showed photos, asked about the past, in which each of us has sad moments.

Milos, 20 years old: "Water cleanses the body, and tears — the soul."

Tobias, 18: "People are used to the stereotype that tears are the only way to express sadness. Personally, I never thought that crying for a man was something shameful or that it was some kind of problem until I took part in this photo shoot."

Franco, 19 years old: "Anyone has the right to tears, whether it's a man or a woman."

Kevin, 19 years old: "The world is full of sadness, pain and joy. It's good that people have the opportunity to express emotions."

Buckminster, 20 years old: "Every time I cry, I smile afterwards, because I realize that we, people, are given genuine emotions."

Jeep, 20 years old: "Tears are one of the abilities that distinguish us from animals. Strangely enough, we have to suppress our nature in order not to stand out in society."

Gidges, 19: "Tears are one of the most beautiful manifestations we are capable of, so don't be afraid to cry."

Arfor, 19 years old: "Someone is laughing, someone is crying. What's wrong with a person doing what's natural?"

Moritz, 19 years old: "Tears are not a sign of weakness, but acceptance of the emotions that you experience. For me, this is a sign of strength, courage."