This Morning's 'Should Boys Cry?' Debate Slammed By Viewers

The discussion came after Ant Middleton's admission about how he discourages his own son from crying.
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This Morning is facing a backlash from viewers, after staging a debate about whether boys should be discouraged from crying.

The subject was raised following a recent interview with SAS: Who Dares Win star Ant Middleton, which raised eyebrows when he said he encouraged a “stiff upper lip” mentality with his son.

He also said that he would avoid making eye contact if his son hurt himself to deliberately dissuade him from crying, even admitting he would take a different approach with his daughter.

Ant Middleton
Ant Middleton
David M. Benett via Getty Images

Speaking on Giovanna Fletcher’s podcast Happy Mum, Happy Baby he said: “That’s life. It’s not being sexist, it’s not being non-PC.”

Understandably, his comments have been hugely controversial, with This Morning taking the opportunity to hold a discussion about it in Wednesday’s show.

Wednesday's This Morning featured a controversial debate
Wednesday's This Morning featured a controversial debate
ITV

However, the show’s decision to frame the topic as a debate has come under fire from viewers, many of whom pointed out the high rate of suicide among young men as reason alone to not present men bottling up their emotions as a valid argument...

“Should boys cry?”... after all the recent male mental health campaigns, about speaking to your mates ect.. why is it up for debate about what emotions boys do and don’t show #ThisMorning pic.twitter.com/vCJX1tWdZd

— James 🧜🏼♂️ (@jameswarren94) May 8, 2019

‘Should boys cry’ shouldn’t even be a question. Men are humans and all humans should cry when they feel emotional. It’s a normal behaviour and should be not suppressed by men. #ThisMorning #ITV

— Zoe Turner (@zoeturner135) May 8, 2019

#ThisMorning what a stupid question boys cry all the time

— liam slattery (@liamslatt1978) May 8, 2019

Should boys cry? Yes. Yes they bloody should. And I think it’s dangerous for anybody to argue otherwise on a show such as #ThisMorning. This is why male suicide rates are as high as they are, b’cos society tells men they can’t show emotions. Awful TV. @matthaig1

— Adam (@adamtweets85) May 8, 2019

Why is this even a conversation? Should boys cry? Anyone should cry if they want to. Ridiculous. Worlds gone mad #ThisMorning

— Jennifer Bennett (@Jennifer_1988) May 8, 2019

This "Should Boys Cry?" debate on This Morning is absolutely ridiculous. Crying is a completely natural, human emotion; it's 2019 and I find it WILD that it's still even a topic. #ThisMorning pic.twitter.com/ES04Nc4BDH

— Jake James (@jakemjames) May 8, 2019

@thismorning "should boys cry?" 110% every person walking this earth has emotions regardless of gender! To tell someone to conceal there feelings is damaging in the long run! If you want or need to cry then that should be allowed! Emotions arent a sign of weakness 💁♂️

— Ross Mitchell (@ross_mitchell_) May 8, 2019

"Should boys cry?"
How is this even a debate? Crying is a completely normal, natural thing. It's not gendered. #ThisMorning

— lucifucker || gary green defense squad (@dametokillfor) May 8, 2019

Should boys cry? Why is this even a debate. Everyone is allowed and entitled to show emotions and it's nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. #ThisMorning #ITV

— Chelsea Brown (@BritishCBrownie) May 8, 2019

This is ridiculous, why shouldn’t boys cry. Its a normal human emotion. Trying to make kids hard faced just makes for emotional problems later on in life. And they wonder why male suicide is so high, its because they’ve been taught to bottle things by idiots like him #thismorning

— 𝓢𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓪 𝓖𝓻𝓮𝓮𝓷 (@Shana_Banana_44) May 8, 2019

Why is there even a debate on whether or not men/boys should cry?! Of course they should they're human. We loose great men every year because of suicide. I will always support mental health awareness for both men and women. #ThisMorning

— Toni. (@toniandrxw) May 8, 2019

Should boys cry? No, of course not only girls can cry. It's not a natural thing for makes. Ffs really what a stupid fucking question!! OF COURSE BOYS SHOULD CRY IT'S A NORMAL THING AS A HUMAN #ThisMorning

— Matt Cotterill (@MattCotterill1) May 8, 2019

Big debate on #ThisMorning Should Boys Cry? Thank fuck I'm back to work next week.

— Horris (@HorrisMcLoven) May 8, 2019

I often cry while watching the painfully boring debates on #Thismorning

— LW 🤞🌟💫 (@atugatar) May 8, 2019

This Morning’s debate featured building firm owner Glenn Slater and lifestyle blogger Vicki Psarias, with the former saying he felt the “tough love” he received from his own father had made him a “stronger person”.

Presenter Holly Willoughby also spoke of a need for more education, when Glenn said he wouldn’t encourage his son to cry for fear he’d be bullied by his peers.

HuffPost UK has contacted This Morning for comment.

The subject was previously raised a day earlier during a discussion on Loose Women, in which panellist Saira Khan took issue with Ant Middleton for his comments.

Saira said: “The suicide rates for men in this country are very very high. And when you look back at what they’re linked to it’s because they don’t talk about their feelings because they were brought up to not show their emotion.

“I’m sorry, I’m really passionate about this but I feel that he’s a great role model for many things but when it comes to this particular issue of parenting, I’m sorry but I think he’s really failing.”

This Morning airs every weekday from 10.30am on ITV.

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