Meaning of "The Stigma (Boys Don't Cry)" by As It Is
The lyrics of "The Stigma (Boys Don't Cry)" by As It Is convey the challenging experience of suppressing emotions and conforming to societal expectations. The pain hidden behind the eyes and the slowly dying light symbolize the internal struggles faced by individuals, particularly men, who are conditioned to conceal their emotions. The repetition of "It's better not to say" emphasizes the pressure to keep their pain hidden, reinforcing the notion that expressing vulnerability is synonymous with weakness. The lyrics encourage the listener to close their eyes, bite their tongue, and hold back their tears, resulting in an increasingly burdensome emptiness consuming their soul.
The chorus's assertion that "boys don't cry" encapsulates the societal stereotype and expectation that men should not display their emotions openly. This notion is further challenged in the line, "Just forget about the hole beneath your skin that's swallowing the best of you within," which illustrates how suppressing emotions can lead to self-destruction. The lyrics highlight the struggle faced by individuals who are taught to believe that revealing their pain is a sign of weakness, leading them to internalize their struggles and suffer silently.
Throughout the song, there is a plea to keep it all inside and not let others see the vulnerability and pain. The repetition of "stay strong, hold on" serves as a reminder to maintain a facade of strength and resilience, regardless of the struggles faced internally. The song suggests that boys are conditioned to believe that expressing emotions is contrary to their gender identity and that crying is a sign of weakness rather than a healthy release of emotion.
In the end, the lyrics question the toll this suppression takes on individuals, with the line "Not until the fateful day you die" suggesting that the burden of hiding emotions persists until death. This emphasizes the damaging effect of societal expectations on mental health and well-being.
