Masculinity in Morocco

Growing up in the United States, I often struggled with the rigid expectations of what it means to be a ‘man’ … strong, unemotional, and tough. Expressing vulnerability was often seen as weakness and showing affection towards other men would easily be misunderstood or ridiculed. The pressure to adhere to the ‘man’ image often leaves little room for softness, connection, or emotional honesty. As discussed in Framework Recovery (2025), this emotional suppression is deeply tied to the stigma men face when trying to open up with one another, even though it is critical for mental health to be able to talk about emotions and express vulnerability. 

As we travel through Morocco, I’ve been witnessing something profoundly different. In city after city, I’ve seen men openly linking arms, greeting each other with a kiss on the cheek, riding closely on motorcycles,...all gestures of connection and comfort that would most likely be questioned back home in the United States. These expressions of closeness are normalized here and carry a sense of ease and confidence that I deeply admire. 

Moroccan men linking arms in Chefchaouen

As The New York Times explains, in many Arab or North African cultures, physical affection between men is simply a sign of deep friendship and respect, not a statement of sexuality or masculinity (2005). If more men in the U.S. felt free to express their emotions, such as those present among Moroccan men, or other feelings…such as hugging their friends or crying without shame,...I believe that our own culture would see a generation of emotionally healthier and more resilient men. 

Morocco has shown me a version of masculinity that I wish we could see more of at home…one that is not afraid of closeness and not ashamed of care. We need to redefine masculinity to include vulnerability, love, and empathy. These qualities don’t make us weaker, but instead more human.

Works Cited

Framework Recovery. (2025). Emotions and stigma: It's okay for men to talk about them. Retrieved May 22, 2025, from https://frameworkrecovery.com/emotions-and-stigma-its-okay-for-men-to-talk-about-them/

The New York Times.. (2005, May 1). Why Arab men hold hands. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/01/weekinreview/why-arab-men-hold-hands.html