History Main / RealMenHateAffection

* ''Disney/TheEmperorsNewGroove'' has this at the very end. Kuzco and Pacha finally get the potion, embrace... and then separate, looking rather embarrassed because guys don't do this... see it [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjlVRWynkhM here]], at about 2:50.

See also ManHug, AccidentalHug, MenDontCry, RatedMForManly, SensitiveGuyAndManlyMan, AllTheGoodMenAreGay, HoYay.

* Achilles and Guardsman of the ''Roleplay/GlobalGuardiansPBEMUniverse'' love each other like brothers. They support each other and are there for each other when it's needed. But they do this all without ever actually demonstrating their feelings for each other in any way, shape or form that isn't "100% manly".

** In one episode Tim's boss and friend Mr. Binford dies. Both Al and Tim's wife Jill get on his case for not mourning openly, while Tim wonders why it's a big deal if he doesn't turn on the waterworks like they do.[[note]]In Tim's defense, he lost his dad when he was 11 years old and he reacted as if everything was normal afterwards.[[/note]] At the same time, Brad compliments him for taking the loss "like a real man" and not crying, which bothers Tim greatly:

** In one episode Tim's boss and friend Mr. Binford dies. Both Al and Tim's wife Jill get on his case for not mourning openly, while Tim wonders why it's a big deal if he doesn't turn on the waterworks like they do.[[note]]In Tim's defense, he lost his dad when he was 11 years old and he decided to act like everything was normal afterwards.[[/note]] At the same time, Brad compliments him for taking the loss "like a real man" and not crying, which bothers Tim greatly:

* Hank Hill from ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill'' is an extreme case. Growing up with an emotionally abusive father who yelled at him any time he showed emotion has made him genuinely afraid of emotional confrontation as an adult, to the point that he won't show any more affection to his own mother than a ''handshake'' (eagle-eyed viewers will also note that Hank ''never'' makes direct eye contact with anyone, as per the show's style guide). Ironically, his greatest fear is that his father will die without ever telling him that he loved him, which [[spoiler:is exactly what happens. Because Hank isn't in the room when his father dies, Peggy lies and says that his father gave him some affectionate parting words so Hank could have closure]].

* Most of ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill'' is like this, with Hank being mortified whenever Bobby doesn't follow this trope.
** Hank is an extreme version of this, unwilling to show any more affection than a handshake to his own mother. It's implied that this is due to emotional abuse from his father. Ironically, his greatest fear is that his father will die without ever telling him that he loved him. [[spoiler:Which was exactly what happened, so Peggy (who dared Cotton to just die already with reverse psychology) made up some nice last words for him to have said about Hank while nobody else was around]].

* [=YouTube=] personality [[WebVideo/DrNerdLove [=DrNerdLove=]]] comments about this issue in regards to men having fewer close friends than women in his video "What's Wrong With Men Today?"

** In the "Homer's Phobia", Homer, fearing Bart was gay, took him out to try and spend time with him. [[HilarityEnsues It does not go well.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': In "Bart the Genius", Bart is shocked when Homer kisses him.
-->'''Bart''': You kissed me.
-->'''Homer''': Now, now, there's nothing wrong with a father kissing his son. I think.

-->''*Homer places his arm on Bart's shoulder*''
-->'''Homer's Brain''': ''You're leaving the arm there too long. You want to make it worse?'' (Abruptly removes it)
-->'''Homer's Brain''': ''No, no! He'll know you're on to him! Quick! Shake his hand!''
-->'''Homer''': (shaking his hand) Just remember son, whatever happens, I'll always I love you.
-->'''Homer's Brain''': ''(fearfully) As? As?''
-->'''Homer''': As a father! Uh, a father! Regular father! *sighs with relief*

* ''Series/{{CSINY}}'': One season 1 ep has the group questioning someone at a 'cuddle party'. Danny makes it clear that he does not cuddle. (although it's quite likely that's changed by now, between Lindsay and Lucy lol)

* Another comedian: "The only time a man is allowed to show any emotion is when he is sitting at his dying father's bedside. Only then is he allowed to say 'I love you" and allow a SingleTear (just one!) to fall. But what if he pulls through? I think I'd actually have to kill him 'cause neither of us would be able to stand the embarrassment."

* Comedian Bill Burr has a theory that men have a lower average life expectancy than women because of all the stress that builds up from their asshole "[=DudeBro=]" friends calling them "fag" any time they show any signs of caring, kindness or sensitivity.

** In one episode Tim's boss and friend Mr. Binford dies. Both Al and Tim's wife Jill get on his case for not mourning openly, while Tim wonders why it's a big deal if he doesn't turn on the waterworks like they do.[[note]]In Tim's defense, he lost his dad when he was 11 and he decided to act like everything was normal afterwards[[/note]] At the same time, Brad compliments him for taking the loss "like a real man" and not crying, which bothers Tim greatly:

* In the ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' episode [[Recap/StevenUniverseS1E24AnIndirectKiss ''An Indirect Kiss'']], [[TheGadfly Amethyst]] tries to invoke this on Steven, apparently forgetting that this is ''[[AllLovingHero Steven]]''

** In one episode Tim's boss and friend Mr. Binford dies. Both Al and Tim's wife Jill get on his case for not mourning openly, while Tim wonders why it's a big deal if he doesn't turn on the waterworks like they do. At the same time, Brad compliments him for taking the loss "like a real man" and not crying, which bothers Tim greatly:

* ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'': One subplot of the episode "My Half Acre" had Dr. Cox refusing to kiss his young son Jack and Jack's mother Jordan complaining about it. Perry confides to Carla that he worries about not being able to be an affectionate enough parent, though he does kiss Jack at the end of the episode. [[FridgeBrilliance Considering]] the relationship Perry had with his own father, a [[DomesticAbuser violent and abusive]] {{Alcoholic| Parent}}, it makes sense.

* ''Series/{{Merlin}}'':

-->'''Merlin:''' I thought you were going for a hug.\\

* This happens again with Rob Schneider in ''Film/FiredUp'', except the one confessing his feelings calls his friend out on [[YouFailLogicForever failing logic forever]].

* In ''Film/TheHotChick'', the eponymous hot chick's boyfriend describes his feelings for her to a friend, expecting a similar confession from the friend, who calls him [[YouFailLogicForever gay]].

* This was mockingly invoked by WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic and [[WebVideo/FamiliarFaces CR]] when they examined [[WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries Baby Doll]], and see her VillainousBSOD at the end of the episode, bringing them both to the verge of tears... before brushing it off as [[BlatantLies making them want to lift weights]].

* In an episode of ''{{Series/Frasier}}'', the title character expresses his frustration that "we've become a society of huggers." This comes a bit out of left field, as in other episodes he doesn't show the same reluctance to show affection, and has complained about his father's inability to say "I love you" to him. Perhaps it was because the man in this case is a coworker he barely knows.

* Averted in ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' where the main characters often share hugs and other shows of affections. The ones that are arguably most poignant are Zuko and his [[ParentalSubstitute Uncle Iroh]]; when the two of them embrace in the finale, its widely considered a CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming.

* ''Series/HomeImprovement'':
** Addressed more than once, as it tackles a lot of "man stuff". In general, Al and Tim are a SensitiveGuyAndManlyMan, and Tim is occasionally put off by Al's shows of affection. For instance, after he sticks up for Al and keeps him from being fired:

** Tim isn't afraid of showing some affection himself. One episode is driven by the fact that his son Brad is embarrassed by Tim telling him "I love you" [[AmazinglyEmbarrassingParents in front of his friends]].
*** This same episode Deconstructs the concept further... it turns out Brad is actually okay with affection, it's just the presentation that's problematic. The {{Aesop}} in this episode is about showing affection in a way people are comfortable with... for Brad, it involves his father spending time with him, as well as things like play-fighting and catch.

* Played with in ''VideoGame/GodOfWarPS4''. Kratos is TheStoic and has a hard time bonding with his son Atreus but not out of a perceived sense of manhood but rather Kratos is suffering from insecurity and guilt from his traumatic and bloody past. He is so focused on teaching Atreus discipline that he simply neglects showing concern and affection to his son even if the player can see that Kratos genuinely loves Atreus.

** The higher suicide rate in men is probably a related issue- even the fact that men are more likely to ignore symptoms of illness for too long.