--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Cure wrote 'Boys Don't Cry,' and it's…" description: "\"The Cure wrote 'Boys Don't Cry,' and it's the same today: as a boy, you're not meant to show your emotions, but if you don't have a job or any prospect..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/908/sam-fender-11325_emotions_the-cure-wrote-boys-don-t-cry-and-it-s-t_1888227.jpg" --- # The Cure wrote 'Boys Don't Cry,' and it's the same today… ![“The Cure wrote 'Boys Don't Cry,' and it's the same today: as a boy, you're not meant to show your emotions, but if you don't have a job or any prospects, you're going to be depressed, and it will be much worse if you can't express that. I hate the term because it's become a buzzword, but it's…” quote by Sam Fender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/908/sam-fender-11325_emotions_the-cure-wrote-boys-don-t-cry-and-it-s-t_1888227.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/908/sam-fender-11325_emotions_the-cure-wrote-boys-don-t-cry-and-it-s-t_1888227.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/908/sam-fender-11325_emotions_the-cure-wrote-boys-don-t-cry-and-it-s-t_1888227.jpg) > “The Cure wrote 'Boys Don't Cry,' and it's the same today: as a boy, you're not meant to show your emotions, but if you don't have a job or any prospects, you're going to be depressed, and it will be much worse if you can't express that. I hate the term because it's become a buzzword, but it's toxic masculinity.” [Sam Fender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-fender/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Societal pressure forces boys to hide emotions, leading to depression especially when lacking purpose, reinforcing toxic masculinity. **In simple terms:** Boys are told not to show feelings, causing sadness and harm. Key Takeaway Encourage emotional openness in men. Themes masculinity mental health emotional expression Mood sadness hopeful Type advice motivational When to use this quote - workplace - personal relationships - mental health counseling Key Concepts toxic masculinity social expectations Questions to Reflect On - How can we reshape norms around male emotional expression? - What support helps men facing depression? A Different Perspective Emotions are complex, not solely caused by job status. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Emotions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotions/) [Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate/) [Masculinity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/masculinity/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Toxic Masculinity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toxic-masculinity/) ## Related quotes > [I wrote 'And Two Boys Booed' several years ago, but we really chased around looking for the perfect illustrator, so it took a while.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-viorst/i-wrote-and-two-boys-booed-several-years-ago-but-we-really-chased/) [Judith Viorst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-viorst/) > [There is a lot of toxic masculinity around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-whaite/there-is-a-lot-of-toxic-masculinity-around/) [John Whaite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-whaite/) > [We hear a lot about this phrase 'toxic masculinity' but I think the real poison in manhood is silence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-whaite/we-hear-a-lot-about-this-phrase-toxic-masculinity-but-i-think-the/) [John Whaite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-whaite/) > [As first minister, I want Scotland also to lead on tackling one of the root causes of gender-based abuse - toxic masculinity - to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/humza-yousaf/as-first-minister-i-want-scotland-also-to-lead-on-tackling-one-of-the/) [Humza Yousaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/humza-yousaf/) > [For the same reason I want to make movies about women, I also want to make movies that help men be better men and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marielle-heller/for-the-same-reason-i-want-to-make-movies-about-women-i-also-want-to/) [Marielle Heller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marielle-heller/) > [ What we're seeing now is not just a backlash against feminism. When you look at guys like \[Jesse\] Helms in the '80s or even… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-marche/what-we-re-seeing-now-is-not-just-a-backlash-against-feminism-when/) [Stephen Marche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-marche/) > [I think if we took away that toxic masculinity then the world would be a much better place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-stark/i-think-if-we-took-away-that-toxic-masculinity-then-the-world-would/) [Oliver Stark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-stark/) > [I wish I had more of a game plan of how I'm going to, like, take down toxic masculinity. But I think that game…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-van-ness/i-wish-i-had-more-of-a-game-plan-of-how-i-m-going-to-like-take-down/) [Jonathan Van Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-van-ness/) > [We rarely see cisgender heterosexual men in positions where they're nurturers. We only paint femmes, trans women, and cis women as nurturers, and because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indya-moore/we-rarely-see-cisgender-heterosexual-men-in-positions-where-they-re/) [Indya Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indya-moore/) > [Men think women, they don't think men. They don't think toxic masculinity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eric-dyson/men-think-women-they-don-t-think-men-they-don-t-think-toxic/) [Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eric-dyson/) > [In thinking about male identities, I'm struck by the inadequacy of the terms we use. The notion that men should be distant, domineering and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-monbiot/in-thinking-about-male-identities-i-m-struck-by-the-inadequacy-of-the/) [George Monbiot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-monbiot/) > [Men can be effective allies by making space and amplifying the voices of women around them. When each of us is an ally in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meena-harris/men-can-be-effective-allies-by-making-space-and-amplifying-the-voices/) [Meena Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meena-harris/) > [There's so much toxic masculinity out there. I grew up with the notion that the more masculine you are and the less you show…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karamo-brown/there-s-so-much-toxic-masculinity-out-there-i-grew-up-with-the-notion/) [Karamo Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karamo-brown/) > [To be part of something that shows up toxic masculinity and shows guys it's OK to talk about things and not be ashamed is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-llewellyn/to-be-part-of-something-that-shows-up-toxic-masculinity-and-shows/) [Dylan Llewellyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-llewellyn/) > [All I can do is seek the information that'll make me stronger, that'll help me overcome my toxic masculinity, my male privilege, because that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate-parker/all-i-can-do-is-seek-the-information-that-ll-make-me-stronger-that-ll/) [Nate Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate-parker/) ## More by Sam Fender > [I've got a band that I tour with, and they're not session musicians; they're my friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-fender/i-ve-got-a-band-that-i-tour-with-and-they-re-not-session-musicians/) [Sam Fender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-fender/) > [I messed around with the guitar from the age of about eight, but when I hit 13, it was the only thing I wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-fender/i-messed-around-with-the-guitar-from-the-age-of-about-eight-but-when/) [Sam Fender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-fender/) > [I'm hopelessly addicted to Instagram.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-fender/i-m-hopelessly-addicted-to-instagram/) [Sam Fender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-fender/) > [I'm never going to overestimate the clout of my job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-fender/i-m-never-going-to-overestimate-the-clout-of-my-job/) [Sam Fender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-fender/) > [It's impossible to let fame go to your head when you still live in North Shields in a flat with your mum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-fender/it-s-impossible-to-let-fame-go-to-your-head-when-you-still-live-in/) [Sam Fender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-fender/) > [I try my best not to be preachy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-fender/i-try-my-best-not-to-be-preachy/) [Sam Fender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-fender/) > [When I was about 18, I started playing restaurants for £150 a night. I felt like a millionaire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-fender/when-i-was-about-18-i-started-playing-restaurants-for-150-a-night-i/) [Sam Fender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-fender/) > [As soon as I had the opportunity to wear a suit, I took it, like when I was at sixth form and had to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-fender/as-soon-as-i-had-the-opportunity-to-wear-a-suit-i-took-it-like-when-i/) [Sam Fender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-fender/) > [Back in the day, you could have a crap gig, and nobody would film you. Now, everybody's got an iPhone - you have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-fender/back-in-the-day-you-could-have-a-crap-gig-and-nobody-would-film-you/) [Sam Fender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-fender/) > [I remember specifically, for me, as a kid growing up or as a young teenager, if I ever cried or got upset in front…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-fender/i-remember-specifically-for-me-as-a-kid-growing-up-or-as-a-young/) [Sam Fender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-fender/) > [I was told not to cry as a kid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-fender/i-was-told-not-to-cry-as-a-kid/) [Sam Fender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-fender/) > ['Poundshop Kardashians' is Newcastle on a Saturday night. Nobody wears coats - it's all muscles and V-necks and fake tan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-fender/poundshop-kardashians-is-newcastle-on-a-saturday-night-nobody-wears/) [Sam Fender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-fender/) > [A lot of my songs are just posing questions, because I'm on a journey to find the answers myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-fender/a-lot-of-my-songs-are-just-posing-questions-because-i-m-on-a-journey/) [Sam Fender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-fender/) > [I like to write about stories and life experiences of me, the people around us, and just the things I see on the telly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-fender/i-like-to-write-about-stories-and-life-experiences-of-me-the-people/) [Sam Fender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-fender/) > [My mam and dad were blasting Steely Dan when I was born; the music hasn't stopped since then.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-fender/my-mam-and-dad-were-blasting-steely-dan-when-i-was-born-the-music/) [Sam Fender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-fender/) [Explore all 60 Sam Fender quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-fender/) ## More Emotions quotes > [William Maxwell's my favorite North American writer, I think. And an Irish writer who used to write for 'The New Yorker' called Maeve Brennan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-munro/william-maxwell-s-my-favorite-north-american-writer-i-think-and-an/) [Alice Munro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-munro/) > [On stage, you can bring all those strong emotions that you don't have the opportunity to live. You don't want to die for love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvie-guillem/on-stage-you-can-bring-all-those-strong-emotions-that-you-don-t-have/) [Sylvie Guillem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvie-guillem/) > [You will never fully understand how much you mean to me, because there are no amount of words that can begin to describe my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-will-never-fully-understand-how-much-you-mean-to-me-because-there/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Of course I like you. It's because I like you I don't wanna be with you. It's a complicated emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlin/of-course-i-like-you-it-s-because-i-like-you-i-don-t-wanna-be-with/) Marlin > [In discovering books, you became free to explore the full range of human motives, desires, secrets, and lies. All my life, people have scolded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/in-discovering-books-you-became-free-to-explore-the-full-range-of/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) Ryan Newman > [Instead of asking a girl how she feels, try looking through her recently listened to songs. The lyrics are the answer to all your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-asking-a-girl-how-she-feels-try-looking-through-her/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My mind has trouble processing all the emotions I feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-mind-has-trouble-processing-all-the-emotions-i-feel/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Its a lack of clarity that creates chaos and frustration. Those emotions are poison to any living goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/its-a-lack-of-clarity-that-creates-chaos-and-frustration-those/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [“When love carries us away on its brittle wings, we are too intoxicated to comprehend its power. We just want to soar and feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/balroop-singh/when-love-carries-us-away-on-its-brittle-wings-we-are-too-intoxicated/) [Balroop Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/balroop-singh/) > [God, help me to focus on Truth instead of the trial. Help me to give thanks instead of giving into fear. Help me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitney-daugherty/god-help-me-to-focus-on-truth-instead-of-the-trial-help-me-to-give/) Whitney Daugherty > [Love is an ocean of emotions entirely sorrounded by expensee..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-an-ocean-of-emotions-entirely-sorrounded-by-expensee/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I grew up in a blue-collar neighborhood and was raised by a man who did not emote, ever... I always cry at movies, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-quick/i-grew-up-in-a-blue-collar-neighborhood-and-was-raised-by-a-man-who/) [Matthew Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-quick/) [Browse all 4,415 Emotions quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotions/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The Cure wrote 'Boys Don't Cry,' and it's the same today: as a boy, you're not meant to show your emotions, but if you don't have a job or any prospects, you're going to be depressed, and it will be much worse if you can't express that. 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