International Men’s Day is a chance to think about those you appreciate most, and the struggles men face (Picture: Getty)

Among all the music tracks on my iPhone there’s one guaranteed to make me smile, no matter how long the day, how many replacement bus journeys or personal insults from strangers on social media.

It’s the Batman Theme and I’ve played it, on repeat, countless times while running around the living room, cackling evilly and announcing my latest dastardly plan to take down Gotham City.

Of course my efforts are always thwarted by a four-year-old Batman and his two-year-old sidekick, Princess aka my nephew and niece.

International Men’s Day on November 19 is an annual event to think about the heroes in your life, young and old.


I want my nephew to be happy, healthy and valued by society (Picture: MMuffin for Metro.co.uk)

As an outspoken feminist, you might expect me to start grumbling about how every day is International Men’s Day.



But why waste time arguing who has it worse, men or women?

Just as I want my niece to grow up in a society that gives her the same pay and opportunities as her brother, I want my nephew to be happy, healthy and valued by society.

When he’s older, I don’t want him to feel he has to have abs like The Body Coach or a bank account like Bill Gates to matter, or feel unable to tell his friends when he’s sad.

I know men don’t have it easy, and that’s an understatement when you know suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK, and that, in later life, men die so much younger than women.

I don’t see why I can’t use International Men’s Day as an opportunity to think about those in my life who have given it meaning.

They deserve a day more than anyone.

For the mentor who believed in me more than I did in myself, who gave me my first management role.

For the ex who always made me feel like the most beautiful girl in the room, and made my dreams his own.

For the grown nephew who sticks two fingers up to homophobic abuse on a daily basis, and wears whatever he damn well pleases, and looks fierce as hell.

Cheers, Dad (Picture: MMuffin for Metro.co.uk)

For the father awed by science, who plays four instruments because it’s good to do something to keep yourself busy during retirement.

For the friend who helps me drown my sorrows in laugh-til-you cry stories and terrible booze.

For my best friends’ husbands who just by being kind, supportive partners give me hope for my DOA love life.

And, of course, for my four-year-old Batman, my nephew, who is joy in a cape incarnate.

These are just a few of the reasons I’d celebrate International Men’s Day. Wouldn’t you?

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