Bruce Springsteen, Manhood and Mental Health
Bruce Springsteen has been trying to heal himself while trying to heal us. The question of what it means to be wounded as a male since childhood is a confounding one.
Springsteen, one of America’s most self-reflective and prolific singers, has been grappling with this issue for six decades. His music and storytelling have captivated audiences, including the author, who was affected by the film Deliver Me from Nowhere about Springsteen’s struggle to make his historic Nebraska album in 1982.
What does that word mean when you’ve been wounded, as a male, since childhood? And in a world telling you to suck it up, be tough, not complain, and not cry, ever?
The author reflects on Springsteen’s impact and their own experiences with the question of masculinity and mental health.
Author's summary: Bruce Springsteen's music reflects his struggle with masculinity and mental health.