International Men’s Day takes place every year on November 19th. Women have long been recognised as needing extra support in the push for equality, but men deserve a voice in this conversation too. Here are 10 reasons why International Men’s Day matters.
Why International Men’s Day Matters
1. We shouldn’t just celebrate celebrities
It’s important to shine a light not just on movie stars and sportsmen, but on the everyday men living decent, honest lives — the dads, granddads, uncles and friends quietly doing right by the people around them.
2. Men as positive role models
There’s a real need, in Ireland and around the world, for more positive male role models. Many boys grow up without a clear sense of what it means to be a man, simply because there isn’t a steady male presence in their lives. Plenty of children will go to bed tonight without having said goodnight to their father, because he isn’t there.
When a positive male role model is missing from a child’s life, it leaves a gap. Research consistently points to the benefits of a father figure or positive male role model being present — supporting a child’s physical wellbeing, their ability to relate to others, and their confidence to take initiative and manage their own behaviour.
3. We should celebrate men’s positive contributions
Men make positive contributions to society, community, family life, marriage, childcare and the environment every single day — contributions that often go unnoticed.
4. It helps focus on men’s health and wellbeing
Not just physical health, but social, emotional and mental wellbeing too. Men are still, on the whole, less likely to talk about how they’re really doing — a day that puts this front and centre is genuinely useful.
5. It helps improve gender relations
The goal is a safer, better world where everyone — men and women — can reach their full potential. That means promoting gender equality for both, not one at the expense of the other.
6. Many parts of the world are dealing with an epidemic of fatherlessness
This is a widely documented issue, particularly in the United States, where a significant proportion of children grow up without regular contact with their father.
Children in this situation often have limited everyday interaction with positive male role models — at home or at school. That raises real questions: where do these children, especially boys, learn what it means to be a man? Television? Social media? The street?
7. It’s important for fathers to be present
Even in homes where a father is present, many parents find that day-to-day life leaves far less one-on-one time with their children than they’d like.
Plenty of today’s fathers didn’t have strong role models showing them what it means to be present for a child, so encouraging more quality time — “presence, not presents” — is always worthwhile.
8. Fathers balance mothers
No matter how wonderful a mother is, she can’t replace everything a father brings to a child’s life. Many parenting experts note that mothers tend to lean into nurturing, soft, gentle, comforting and protective roles, while fathers tend to bring challenge, encouragement to take risks, and playfulness. Children benefit from that balance of protection and healthy risk-taking.
9. Men have issues that society still needs to address
There are real challenges facing men and boys that deserve more attention:
- Men die younger, on average, than women.
- Male suicide rates remain a serious concern across the UK and Ireland, with Ireland recording some of the higher male youth suicide rates in Europe.
- Men make up the majority of the prison population in most countries.
Every boy deserves encouragement to look after himself — his health, his wellbeing, and his place in society. Where a personal role model isn’t there, we need to find other ways to give boys someone worth looking up to.
If this touches a nerve for you or someone you love, please reach out to a GP or a support service in your area — you don’t have to manage it alone.
10. Men are a big part of our lives
At the end of the day, we all have fathers, brothers, cousins, uncles and grandparents in our lives. Some are better at relating than others, but men play an important part for all of us. So take a moment to appreciate the men in your life — especially the ones who show up and contribute positively to your family.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is International Men’s Day?
International Men’s Day is marked every year on November 19th.
Why do we need an International Men’s Day?
Because men, like women, benefit from having a day that recognises their contributions, challenges the pressures they face, and highlights issues like men’s health, fatherlessness and mental wellbeing that don’t always get enough attention.
Does celebrating International Men’s Day take away from International Women’s Day?
Not at all. The two aren’t in competition — supporting gender equality means recognising the needs and contributions of both men and women.
How can our family mark International Men’s Day?
Keep it simple: say thank you to the men who matter to you, spend some one-on-one time together, or talk openly with the children in your life about the good men they know and admire.
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