4/6/2026 | United Kingdom | politics | ✓ Verified - theguardian.com

As a business founder and as a man, I regret the decades I spent confined by masculinity | Guy Singh-Watson

#masculinity #regret #emotional expression #business founder #mental health #societal norms #vulnerability

📌 Key Takeaways

Guy Singh-Watson reflects on decades of personal and professional constraints due to traditional masculinity norms.
He expresses regret for how these norms limited his emotional expression and relationships.
The article critiques societal expectations of masculinity as harmful to men's mental health and authenticity.
Singh-Watson advocates for redefining masculinity to embrace vulnerability and emotional openness.

📖 Full Retelling

<p>Making women more powerful in my farm business and closing the gender pay gap was not just the right thing to do – it has brought commercial benefits </p><p>On International Women’s Day this year, I found myself in Selfridges listening to my wife, Geetie, talk about her experiences as a childhood communard, mother, restaurateur, environmental campaigner and, of course, as a woman. I was one of two men in the audience. Some might ask what a 65-year-old male farmer was doing t

🏷️ Themes

Masculinity, Personal Growth

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Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

This personal reflection matters because it highlights how traditional masculinity norms can limit personal growth, emotional expression, and professional development. It affects men who feel pressured to conform to restrictive gender roles, businesses that may lose out on diverse perspectives, and society at large by perpetuating harmful stereotypes. The author's public admission as a successful entrepreneur gives credibility to the conversation about redefining masculinity in modern contexts.

Context & Background

Traditional masculinity norms have historically emphasized stoicism, competitiveness, and emotional restraint as ideal male traits
The 'toxic masculinity' discourse gained prominence in the 2010s, examining how rigid gender roles harm both men and women
Men's mental health has become a growing concern, with studies showing men are less likely to seek help for psychological issues
Workplace culture has increasingly recognized the value of emotional intelligence and diverse leadership styles beyond traditional masculine approaches

What Happens Next

This personal narrative may inspire similar reflections from other business leaders and professionals, potentially influencing workplace culture discussions. We may see increased corporate training around inclusive masculinity and emotional intelligence in leadership. The conversation could expand to how educational systems and parenting approaches might evolve to create healthier models of masculinity for future generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What specific aspects of masculinity does the author regret?

The author regrets how traditional masculinity confined his emotional expression, limited his ability to show vulnerability, and restricted his personal and professional growth by enforcing rigid behavioral expectations.

Why is a business founder's perspective particularly valuable on this topic?

As a business founder, the author has experienced how traditional masculine traits are often rewarded in entrepreneurship, yet he recognizes their limitations. His success gives him credibility to critique these norms from within the system.

How does this relate to broader workplace culture issues?

This reflection connects to discussions about creating more inclusive workplaces where diverse emotional expressions and leadership styles are valued, potentially improving employee wellbeing and organizational performance.

What impact could this have on men's mental health awareness?

By publicly discussing how masculinity norms limited him, the author helps normalize conversations about men's emotional experiences and may encourage others to seek support without stigma.

How might this perspective influence younger generations?

This honest reflection from an established professional provides an alternative model of masculinity that values emotional awareness alongside professional achievement, potentially influencing how younger men approach their careers and relationships.

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Original Source

              As a business founder and as a man, I regret the decades I spent confined by masculinity Guy Singh-Watson Making women more powerful in my farm business and closing the gender pay gap was not just the right thing to do – it has brought commercial benefits O n International Women’s Day this year, I found myself in Selfridges listening to my wife, Geetie, talk about her experiences as a childhood communard, mother, restaurateur, environmental campaigner and, of course, as a woman. I was one of two men in the audience. Some might ask what a 65-year-old male farmer was doing there at all. I would contend, first, that as many of the issues discussed on IWD relate to male behaviour, men should be paying as much attention as women; and second (and more practically) that too many blokes being blokey does not get the strawberries picked. Success in farming depends on being able to build and maintain relationships. I’d say that’s true of most businesses. When we first measured our gender pay gap at Riverford in 2017, women earned an average of 91p an hour to their male colleagues’ £1. We made excuses and weak efforts at change, but most of the men at the top were unwilling to challenge their unspoken prejudice. My own farm, Baddaford, has been happier, more productive and more profitable since I, and my male head grower, put our best picker – a woman half our age – in charge of the picking and people. Today, we must be one of very few veg farms with a waiting list for pickers, and that’s all down to our farm manager, Maddie, demanding change and making work here fun, emotionally safe and fulfilling. Like a lot of the more “enlightened” men of my generation, I would resist being branded sexist, but unless you call out prejudice when you see it, you might as well be. It has been rewarding on both a personal and commercial level to see Maddie flourish and take the rest of us forward with her. But why did it take a woman and a new entrant to our historically very male industry to...
            

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