Gillette's second edition of #ShavingStereotypes says it is okay for men to cry

For over a hundred years, Gillette has aimed to make men look, feel and be their best. In this journey, the brand has continually challenged stereotypes about men, most recently with #BarbershopGirls campaign. In its latest campaign on #ShavingStereotypes, Gillette asks a question — Why don’t men show their tears? The brand challenges the enduring stereotype on why men are taught to not show their vulnerability, not to show their emotions, not to cry because it makes them weak.

Through a heartfelt story of Lt Col Manoj Kumar Sinha, SM (Retd), Gillette, with its second edition of #ShavingStereotypes, says that it is okay for men to cry. Men expressing their vulnerability through tears is being #ManEnough.

The campaign:

The earlier #ShavingSterotypes campaign film:

Told through the real-life tribulations of a father and son, it traces their journey from being beholden to this stereotype to breaking it and accepting that showing their tears and vulnerability makes them stronger. Their story echoes what Gillette advocates for— it takes courage to be the best we can be.

As a part of the broader campaign, the brand has asked one simple question— ‘When was the last time you cried?’. In a society where crying is often perceived as a sign of weakness, encouraging men to talk about the last time they cried attempts to shatter this stereotype.

With #ManEnough, the brand has pledged to take this message to more than two million young men across the country through the Gillette Mach 3 Achiever’s Academy.

Speaking on the campaign, Karthik Srivatsan, Country Category Leader, Grooming Indian Sub-Continent at P&G, said, “Lt. Col. Manoj Kumar (Retd.) and his father are true heroes who’ve shown us that when we get past stereotypes that constrain us, we can emerge stronger together. Gillette salutes their spirit and is proud to have had the opportunity to be part of their journey. We are committed to Gillette being a Force for Good and want to continue to bring real-life positive stories of men, and play a role in influencing culture. Our actions need to set the right standards for the boys of today to be men of tomorrow.”

Commenting on the campaign, Sandipan Bhattacharyya, Chief Creative Officer, Grey Group, said, “Gillette, as a leading male brand and advocate for men, believes in igniting conversations that raise and inspire the future generation of men. With #ManEnough, we want men breaking free of notions that crying makes them weaker and that it takes courage to show your vulnerability.”