I’m female, don’t really follow football, but enjoy the international tournaments.
I watched the game last night and oh so many questions … .
It was impressive and touching to see the sea of England supporters and it made me think about the motivation behind this vast number of men getting organised, sorting accommodation, buying tickets and expensive shirts, travelling, forming groups, hanging flags neatly in a row …
…and then, during the match, the outpouring of emotion is extraordinary…
… men singing, dancing, crying, hugging, players kissing one another… .
And then I thought about the reverse of all of that … about the many men, obviously some not all, who tend to be quite cold and unexpressive, who never plan holidays, or buy clothes, or arrange group or family activities, or even bother to maintain friendships…
… and who avoid attempts made to connect with them, who cut off attempts at communication, who avoid family gatherings etc.
I know this is a huge generalisation, but what is this all about?
Competition? Pride? Tribalism? Belonging?
Can anyone explain?