The apparent failure of many men to express emotion is, to some degree, a misperception. In the first instance, men's emotions are, on the whole, very simple. Emotional complexity, given the role of the male in a 'natural' (small tribe hunter-gatherer) society, is a disadvantage. Heavy labour, hunting and fighting allow for expression of emotion through action rather than speech. Men do things, end of. That's why a man can't just listen to a woman confiding a problem without trying to 'fix her'.

I get round this by writing, which allows me to be open and honest about my feelings by doing something. Not everyone can do that, it's a knack I have.

What men need is physically and mentally demanding, high-risk, high-stakes, challenging work or activity. Something that, even if he fails, he can be praised for having a go at. By stripping the risk out of jobs and sports, mechanising the heavy and dangerous work, piling safety protocols and gear onto sports, we have robbed men of their purpose (which is primarily to die like flies).

A properly-ordered society would have women running for President while men set off for Mars!