U17 Vietnam lost 1-4 to U17 Korea in a match where problems only appeared in the last 10 minutes. A few players cried, but the VFF President said: "There's no need to cry". That's like an order to regain willpower. But, from a psychological perspective, why are we so afraid of tears?
Crying is often framed in a prejudiced way as weakness. Adults teach children that "men should not cry", meaning they must always "strain themselves" to prove their steely bravery. But in reality, tears are not the end of will, but a very tangible response of the body to the limits of pain. Psychology has proven that crying is a miraculous self-healing mechanism. Tears fall, the body releases oxytocin and endorphins - natural sedatives that help soothe pain, "wash away" extreme emotions and then people often reach a calmer state to recognize the problem.
Therefore, repression does not make us stronger, but over time, it only makes us calloused. Excessive "carrying emotions" will create pressure on the cardiovascular and brain systems. Tears flowing backwards turn into tumors of prolonged stress.
Here, true bravery is not because of possessing a cold, emotionless face, but the ability to face and accept the truth. Crying to know that you have been dedicated, crying to admit that you also know pain, and then from the very "weakness of heart" being relieved, a new source of energy can arise.
Let the children - and ourselves - have the right to cry when feeling too heavy. Don't force your body to endure artificially more pressure of "being strong". Because after all, only when you dare to live true to pain, do people have enough luggage to move forward in a light and resilient way.
