I was driving to my morning class today when this young guy named Ross called into the radio station [I was listening to KIIS FM] for some advice.

He was around 20 or so and he had just gone through a really hard break-up. He was still in love with his girlfriend of two years, wanted to marry her ...had started to shop for engagement rings ...the whole deal. Now he wants to take time off from work to recover and pull himself together. I have to say, the reaction from Ryan [Seacrest] and the other callers got me thinking. Why do we put men on such high pedestals and expect them to be emotionally solid individuals? Ryan and the callers chastised this poor boy for wanting to take some time to get himself together. I understand that his request for a couple weeks was way too much, but telling him to just 'man up' and deal isn't much better. Different people have different emotional limits and I honestly believe that had it been a female caller describing their two year relationship that went down the tube, everyone would be a lot more sympathetic to her [they'd perhaps even *expect* her to have a breakdown]. Even Ryan admitted that if it had been a woman, he never would have called her out like that on the air. Why are our standards so different at this day and age?

Another thing that caught my interest was the man's undertone of an accent. It sounded like he was originally from a Southern or Midwestern state and living in California had kind of diluted most of his accent. I really hate to judge by region but if Ross is from another part of the United States, it might understand why he is so sensitive. Here in the city, especially on the West Coast - people are a little colder. It's expected for you to fall down and get right back up; it's a fast-paced life. You don't 'have time to feel sorry for yourself.

What do you guys think? Do we put too much pressure on men [for you Supernatural lovers, I know you might be thinking about Sam and Dean ...I am too]? Or maybe you've had a really hard break-up that put you out of work or school? Go ahead and drop a comment ;]