#29: Unspoken Norms

When navigating social gatherings, we often encounter unwritten rules and unspoken norms. Take, for instance, the story of this 54-year-old homosexual man, a combat veteran, and a married individual. He’s reached a point in his life where he’s hesitant to attend events featuring unfamiliar children, even those hosted by friends or relatives.

What’s more, he refrains from displaying affection towards his friends’ and cousins’ kids unless they’re present, ensuring there’s explicit consent. This story exposes the biases and presumptions that frequently affect men’s lives, particularly those of men who identify as LGBTQ+. The dread of being falsely accused of misconduct is quite real, and it emphasizes how important it is to challenge social conventions.