Once upon a time, in a small town, there was a school called "Male Emotional Learning Academy". The school had a unique philosophy of education, where male students were taught to be subservient and emotional, while female students were taught to be aggressive and dominant.
The male students at the Male Emotional Learning Academy were trained to be caregivers and were taught how to cook, clean, and take care of children. The teachers at the school believed that men should be emotional, loving and nurturing, rather than aggressive or dominant. The female students were trained to become businesswomen and leaders, preparing them for a life of power and assertiveness.
The parents in the community were thrilled with the school's philosophy, as they believed it was important for young men to learn how to express their emotions and be more compassionate towards others. They also believed that women should be encouraged to take on leadership roles. Therefore, the parents never questioned the school's philosophy or the lessons being taught to their children.
The teachers were very strict in enforcing the school's gendered teaching methods. They strictly forbade any type of aggressive or violent behavior by the male students, and encouraged them to show emotion and affection towards one another. Conversely, the female students were encouraged to be assertive and dominating, and were taught that they were in charge of their own lives.
Years passed, and despite the students feeling like they were missing something, they never questioned the school's teachings. That is until a new student, Mark, joined the academy. Mark didn't quite fit in. He wasn't emotional or submissive, nor was he passive or interested in keep house. He wanted to play sports and be creative.
The teachers quickly realized that Mark wasn't fitting into the Male Learning Academy's philosophy, and tried to enforce the teaching even more strictly. However, Mark's persistence and questioning began to rub off on the other male students.
As Mark and his male peers started to push back against the school's teachings, many of the female students joined in as well. They began to see the value of emotional intelligence and empathetic skills that the boys were learning. Furthermore, they saw that aggressiveness isn't the only way to succeed.
As a collective group, the students pushed for the school administration to revisit its philosophy and allow boys to express themselves and pursue their passions without being judged. After much back and forth, changes were made and the school shift and became a place that emphasized equality and freedom of expression for both male and female students.
The students at Male Emotional Learning Academy learned an important lesson; it's always necessary to question the status quo and push against cultural norms that may be harmful to individual growth and development.
