By Torkuma Gbor
Every year on May 16, the world observes the International Day of the Boy Child — a day set aside to recognise the struggles, growth, and importance of boys in society.
The day was founded in 2018 by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh, a gender activist from Trinidad and Tobago, to create awareness about the unique challenges boys face across the world.
Over the years, conversations around gender equality have rightly gained attention. However, in many cases, the boy child is still overlooked when discussions about emotional well-being, vulnerability, and personal development are held.
This year’s theme, “Raising Boys of Value and Purpose,” speaks to the urgent need to intentionally guide boys with the right values, character, and sense of direction. It reminds society that boys need more than physical provision; they need mentorship, discipline, emotional support, and positive role models to help shape them into responsible men. In a world where many young boys are exposed to negative influences and unhealthy expectations, the theme calls for collective efforts from parents, teachers, religious leaders, and society to raise boys who understand responsibility, respect, empathy, and purpose.
In many homes and communities, boys are raised to believe that showing emotions is a sign of weakness. They hear statements like “be a man” or “boys don’t cry,” and gradually learn to suppress emotions and suffer in silence. Over time, this silence can lead to anger, depression, addiction, violence, or destructive behaviour.
In Nigeria and many other societies, boys are often expected to be strong at all times, provide for others, and never appear weak. While strength and responsibility are important values, they become harmful when boys are denied the freedom to express themselves or seek help when necessary.
Today, there is strong attention on raising and preparing the girl child for the future, especially in areas of protection, education, and family life. While this is important and necessary, the boy child should not be forgotten in the process. After all, the same boy will grow into a husband, a father, and a leader someday. We cannot expect healthy homes and balanced families if boys are raised without proper emotional guidance and support.
The truth is, the boy child also needs care, direction, mentorship, and understanding. He faces emotional, social, and psychological pressures too, even if society rarely talks about them.
As we mark this year’s International Day of the Boy Child, there is a need for parents, teachers, religious leaders, and society as a whole to pay closer attention to boys — not in competition with the girl child, but alongside her.
This conversation is not about choosing one gender over another. It is about balance. Both boys and girls deserve equal care, equal protection, and equal opportunities to grow into healthy adults.
When boys are raised in safe environments where they can speak openly, learn good values, and grow with purpose, society benefits as a whole. They become better fathers, better brothers, better leaders, and better human beings.
Every child matters. And today, we remember the boy child.
Happy International Day of the Boy Child to boys allover the word.