Imposter syndrome isn’t a disease, but it can do real damage to our confidence and self-esteem if it’s goes unchecked. And while it’s often associated with women, men can experience it too – as recently highlighted. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Last Word recently, Mike Parkinson revealed that his father, Sir Michael Parkinson – who died aged 88 earlier this month – dealt with “imposter syndrome” and “was wracked with self-doubt”. He went on to say that the well loved late chat show host, who interviewed the likes of Victoria and David Beckham and Muhammad Ali during his career, “didn’t have as much self-confidence as he appeared to have on TV”. The director also said that despite his father’s obvious success, he was “still very class ridden” and “very insecure”. These words will no doubt strike a chord with many. Here’s a closer look and imposter syndrome and what men can do to help manage it. What is imposter syndrome? “Impostor syndrome is not a mental illness. It is rather a term applied to the internal psychological experience of feeling like a fraud in a particular area in your life, despite evidence of success or external validation,” says Dr Jon van Niekerk, group clinical director at Cygnet Health Care. It is also a myth that men do not suffer from impostor syndrome... “It might come as a surprise to some, but it is fairly common experience, with 70% of people having at least one episode at some point,” he adds. “It is also a myth that men do not suffer from impostor syndrome. In fact, research has shown that if surveys are anonymous, there are similar levels of these symptoms between men and women. The difference is that men can find it more difficult to talk about these feelings.” What signs might they experience? Dr Elena Touroni, consultant psychologist and co-founder of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic, believes at its core, imposter syndrome is associated with “feelings of self-doubt sparking fears of being ‘exposed’ as a fraud, or diminishing genuine achievements and attributing them to luck rather than skill”. She adds: “On the surface, these internal battles might manifest as overworking to prove one’s worth, delaying tasks due to fear of imperfection, or an unending quest for validation.” As a result, van Niekerk says men could “compensate by overworking to achieve impossible standards they set themselves. Many people that have impostor syndrome are ‘overachievers’ and their personal and family life suffers. “Some people also self-sabotage their relationships, as they do not believe the deserve affection from others,” he adds. “If not managed well, it can ultimately lead to burnout and more severe mental health issues, like depression and anxiety.” What are the possible causes?There are various factors that play a role in imposter syndrome, especially as people may have different triggers for these feelings, and in different areas of their lives. “These feelings and beliefs can often be traced back to schemas – mental blueprints formed by our early experiences,” says Touroni. “These schemas shape our perception of ourselves, the world, and our place in it. When early experiences involve neglect, abandonment or overly critical parents/caregivers, it can lead to a lasting belief of not being ‘good enough’.” How can men overcome imposter syndrome? Reflecting on your strengths and positive past experiences is often a great place to start. “It is important to not just accept self-defeating thoughts. If you experience these thoughts, it is important to note them and remind yourself of why you are in a particular position, and what past accomplishments you have had,” says van Niekerk. “Once you open up, you will be surprised how many people struggle with similar thoughts. Usually, these settle down once you have been in a particular role for some time, but if they impact on you pursuing your goals or your relationships, it might be helpful to speak to a therapist.” Touroni adds: “Imposter feelings tend to run deep. But, with dedication and the right support, they can be challenged and changed. A therapist can help you unearth the origins of these beliefs, challenge their accuracy, and cultivate healthier, more empowering perspectives and coping mechanisms.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live 8 of the coolest plants for shady gardens This is how stress affects different parts of the body Curls feeling frazzled? 6 ways to repair summer hair damage

Yale University agreed to settle a lawsuit alleging the prestigious university discriminated against students with mental health disabilities, according to a joint statement from the university and plaintiffs.

Adele has opened up about her health after experiencing a flare-up of her spinal condition during her Las Vegas residency. During one of the “Hello” singer’s recent concerts - as part of her “Weekends with Adele” residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace - she explained to fans that before stepping on stage, she had fallen and was unable to move due to a sciatica attack. A sciatica flare-up comes from the sciatic nerve when it is compressed or irritated. When this happens, a person can experience pain that radiates from their lower back all the way down to their feet. “They picked my whole body up off the floor,” Adele explained to the crowd, according toThe Sun. The singer also revealed to the audience that she had to take a break mid-show over the weekend, saying: “I am going to sit down and rest my sciatica.” This isn’t the first time the “Easy on Me” singer has spoken openly about her health. During a performance on New Year’s Eve last December, Adele struggled to walk across the stage as she explained her chronic back pain and sciatica. “I have to waddle these days as I have really bad sciatica," she said at the time. Not only was she struggling to walk, but she also shared that she was performing with a disintegrated disc in her spine. “Is anyone else kind of my age starting getting bad knees? I have got really bad sciatica in my left leg and my L5 disc is not f***ing there anymore. It’s worn away,” she said back in February. The L5 spinal nerve provides sensation to the outer side of the lower leg, the upper part of the foot, and the space between the first and second toe. The nerve also controls hip, knee, foot and toe movements, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The sciatic nerve consists of the L4 and L5 nerves plus other sacral nerves, the website states. In an interview with Elle last year, Adele also said that she slipped her L6 disc when her son, Angelo, jumped out to scare her as she came out of the bathroom. The singer previously toldThe Face magazine in a November 2021 interview that her back issues go back to her teenage years. “I slipped my first disc when I was 15 from sneezing. I was in bed and I sneezed and my fifth one flew out. In January, I slipped my sixth one, my L6. And then when I had a C‑section, my core was useless," she said. Adele explained that she had lived with back pain for most of her life, and that her flare-ups occurred when she was stressed or continuously sitting with bad posture. However, she revealed that key to improving her symptoms was regularly working out. “Where I got my tummy strong, down at the bottom, which I never had before, my back doesn’t play up as much,” Adele said. “It means I can do more, I can run around with my kid a little bit more.” Read More Adele halts show to rebuke security guard hassling a fan: ‘Leave him alone’ Adele says she wants to have a baby with boyfriend Rich Paul ‘soon’ Miley Cyrus was ‘thinking of Adele’ while writing new song ‘Used to Be Young’

Oti Mabuse has revealed that she and her husband Marius Iepure had stopped trying to conceive when she discovered she is pregnant with their first child. The former Strictly Come Dancing star announced on Saturday (26 August) that she is expecting, describing the pregnancy as “the best news we could have ever asked for”. Mabuse, 33, shared in an Instagram Story on Monday (28 August) that she had initially “given up” on trying to conceive because “nothing was happening”. She posted a video of her and her friend Nkateko Dinwiddy celebrating her pregnancy, and wrote over the clip: “My friend @takkies7 asked me to [take a pregnancy test] because I was drinking coffee and I don’t drink coffee. “We had been trying for a while and decided to stop (it all just got too much) and just live life as us two as nothing was happening. “We enjoyed each other’s company, dinners, concerts, parties, just simply removed all the pressure and here we are!” In another Instagram Story, she shared a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation between her and Dinwiddy, showing her friend asking if she had taken a pregnancy test yet. Mabuse replied: “Ahhhh why? [cry-laugh emoji] Don’t stress me I’ve actually given up.” But the Dancing On Ice judge shared the happy news over the weekend live on her ITV Breakfast Show. She also shared a series of photographs of her and Iepure cradling her growing baby bump on Instagram and wrote in the caption: “We love our little bundle of joy so much already… and can’t wait to see what our future will look like now as a family of three plus Leo. “It’s been a beautiful journey so far with close friends and family and nearly over but we have learnt a lot along the way… Christmas is about to get even louder.” Mabuse also shared a video montage of the moment the couple shared the news with their close friends and family over FaceTime and in person, including with her sister, Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse. The expectant mum said in her caption: “Living in a different country as a couple means you don’t have family around to break the news face to face to. “And most often, friends become family. We are so extremely lucky with our group of friends. Disclaimer: This isn’t all of them, not enough video space. But we kept our circle really tight, full of positive energy, laughter and joy.” Motsi left a comment under the video and said: “Just cried again [red heart emoji].” Mabuse and Iepure met in Germany as dance partners in 2012. He proposed to her in 2014 on her birthday and they married that same year. Read More ‘My depression ate me up and stopped me doing the thing in life I loved the most – cooking’ BBC Breakfast’s Emma Vardy announces birth of son: ‘Presenting my best breaking news ever’ Maya Jama and Stormzy ‘confirm relationship’ as they’re seen holding hands in Greece Oti Mabuse announces she is pregnant with her first child Amy Dowden reveals ‘life-threatening’ sepsis diagnosis amid cancer treatment BBC Breakfast’s Emma Vardy announces birth of first child

Amy Dowden has revealed that she was recently diagnosed with “life-threatening” sepsis as she underwent cancer treatment earlier this month. The Strictly Come Dancing star, 33, told her nearly 490k followers on Instagram that she suffered a “setback” in her treatment and had to spend “several days in hospital” being treated by an ICU team. In June, Dowden underwent a mastectomy after being diagnosed with stage three breast cancer the month prior. She began chemotherapy earlier this month after doctors found another type of cancer. Speaking to Hello! magazine in a new interview, the professional dancer said she started feeling ill two days after her first round of chemotherapy and started getting a fever. “I started having a temperature of 37.7 degrees Celsius,” she recalled. “At the time, I didn’t realise that having a temperature of 37.5 or above could be fatal for a chemo patient. I just thought it was my reaction to chemo, but as it turned out, I had already got an infection.” She added: “I felt freezing cold but I was all clammy and shaking. My mum and dad rang my red card [which provides the chemotherapy team’s contact details and current treatment information] and they said to hang up and ring the ambulance.” Dowden continued: “I didn’t want to go into hospital; at the time I didn’t realise how ill I was. “I knew it was a Saturday night, so A&E would probably be crowded, and it was dangerous being around people as it’s more likely you’ll pick up an infection. “On chemo, you don’t have your white blood cells to fight infection. We now know I had the infection just before I started chemo, but we were never able to pinpoint what actually caused it.” Dowden said she was so ill that she couldn’t really understand the danger she was in. “The doctors and nurses were telling me I had sepsis and that it was life-threatening, but I wasn’t taking it in,” she said. “I didn’t become properly aware until later. I told my dad, ‘I’ve got sepsis’ and he said, ‘I know!’” On her birthday on 10 August, Dowden spent the day in hospital after her temperature went up again. She is currently recovering at home and has been able to continue her chemotherapy treatment. The treatment has caused the TV star to start losing her hair and she now wears a wig, but she is hopeful she will be able to appear on the forthcoming series of Strictly in some way. She revealed that the Strictly production team is “getting me some fabulous wigs ready”. “The team are being guided by me – they’ve been utterly amazing,” Dowden said. “We’ve got some dates in the diary, but it will depend on how I feel. We’re taking it a step at a time.” Dowden’s professional dancer colleagues on the show have been sending her videos, flowers and presents to encourage her as she undergoes treatment, she added. “I speak to Dianne [Buswell] every single day. This is impacting on them as well because we’re a team,” she said. “I’m grateful they are including me because Strictly will help me get through the next few months, mentally. It’s just the tonic that I need.” Last week, Dowden opened up about her hair loss and admitted she was finding it “so hard”. She shared a photo of a clump of her hair that had fallen out with a series of broken heart emojis and wrote: “So much everyday! So hard! One day at a time!” After her mastectomy, Dowden was told she needed chemotherapy as doctors found further tumours after the surgery. In an Instagram Live chat, she said: “They found another type of cancer and then they told me I needed chemo – for me that was a massive blow. It wasn’t in the plan, originally – and I know the plan you can’t get fixated on.” Dowden is married to her long-term partner Benjamin Jones, who is also a professional dancer. The couple wed in 2022, after having to reschedule their wedding due to the Covid pandemic. Read More ‘My depression ate me up and stopped me doing the thing in life I loved the most – cooking’ Maya Jama and Stormzy ‘confirm relationship’ as they’re seen holding hands in Greece Pilot makes sweet announcement to his flight attendant mother on first flight together Strictly’s Amy Dowden finding it ‘so hard’ as she shares hair loss update amid cancer BBC Breakfast’s Emma Vardy announces birth of first child Ultra-processed food may cause ‘tidal wave of harm’, including heart attack, stroke

BBC Breakfast star Emma Vardy has welcomed her first child with husband Aaron Adams. The co-host of the morning news programme announced her “best breaking news ever” on Instagram, where she shared a photo of herself cradling her newborn. Vardy first revealed her pregnancy in May, when she shared a photo of her baby bump after a day of surfing in Co Sligo. The BBC Ireland correspondent wrote on Instagram: “Presenting my best breaking news ever. Baby boy Jago Fionn is here. “At just a few hours old, playing a little camera shy. Huge thanks to the dedicated and talented midwives and doctors at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital for looking after us so well.” She added that she and Adams were “smitten and so in love”. The photo was a selfie taken from her hospital bed as she cuddled the newborn baby, who has dark hair and was dressed in a white onesie. Announcing the news of her pregnancy in May, Vardy posted a photo of herself holding a surfboard as she showcased her bump. She wrote: “Well folks it’s definitely getting a bit harder to balance…. extra cargo hitching a ride!! Still managing to catch a few waves though. “Beautiful weekend in Co Sligo, and a very exciting summer ahead!!” She added: “#paddlingfortwo #babyonboard.” Last month, Vardy celebrated her baby shower and shared a series of photos from the joyous event. She wore a one-shouldered white gown and a beautiful pink and yellow flower crown as she posed in front of a large blue-and-white balloon display. Other photos included in the post showed her friends and family posing with her, all wearing green flower crowns, as well as photos of the decoration and tablescape for the event. “Belated Babyshower spam for the gram,” she wrote in the caption. Vardy married Adams in March 2022 in Co Antrim, where Adams’ son Jonah acted as ring bearer. Read More ‘My depression ate me up and stopped me doing the thing in life I loved the most – cooking’ Maya Jama and Stormzy ‘confirm relationship’ as they’re seen holding hands in Greece King Charles planning ‘major shakeup’ to Royal Household staff Elle King opens up about her ‘deep depression’ amid two-year postpartum journey Sienna Miller pregnant with her second child Serena Williams celebrates second pregnancy with ‘pre-push party’

Two new studies have found conclusive links between the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) with increased cardiac disease risk, including heart attacks and strokes. The research, presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology in Amsterdam, found highly processed food sold in stores across the world, such as fizzy drinks, cereals and ready-to-eat meals, may lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. Henry Dimbleby, the UK government’s former food tsar, said the findings should be a “wake-up call” for the country. “Britain is particularly bad for ultra-processed food. It is storing up problems for the future,” he told The Guardian. “If we do nothing, a tidal wave of harm is going to hit the NHS.” One of the studies, conducted by scientists from the Fourth Military Medical University in China, conducted a review of 10 studies that included 325,403 participants and 38,720 cases of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, including heart attack and stroke. It found a conclusive association between UPF and heart disease risk. Scientists found that a 10 per cent increase in UPF consumption in daily calorie intake is linked to a 6 per cent rise in heart disease risk. Researchers also observed that the lowest risk was at a less than 15 per cent per day of UPF consumption out of total calorie intake. However, heavy UPF consumption “was significantly and positively associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events,” scientists noted. The other research, also presented at the world’s largest heart health conference, assessed the link between UPF intake with CVD and hypertension in a population of middle-aged women in Australia. Scientists, including those from the University of Sydney, assessed health data of about 10,000 women aged 46-55 years who were recruited into the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health and followed for 15 years. They assessed the contribution of UPF in the daily dietary intake of these women as well as their self-reported heart disease and stroke, and/or hypertension incidences. The women included in the study had an average UPF intake of 26.6 per cent of total food dietary intake. Over their 15 years of follow-up, scientists found 1,038 incident CVD and 4,204 hypertension cases. Among the middle-aged women, scientists observed that a higher UPF intake was associated with higher risk of CVD and hypertension. “These findings lend support to minimising UPF intake as a component of a heart-healthy diet,” scientists wrote in the study. Taken together, the findings hinted that the harm caused by UPF may be more than just due to their high salt and fat content. “If there is something inherent in the processing of foods that is harmful, then that is a disaster,” said Mr Dimbleby. Read More First-of-its-kind study finds laughter is indeed good medicine, especially for the heart How many steps a day can cut risk of early death (and it’s not 10,000) Weight loss jabs improve heart failure symptoms in obese patients – study First-of-its-kind study finds laughter is indeed good medicine How many steps a day can cut risk of early death (and it’s not 10,000) ‘Boy moms’ called out for dubious logic behind teaching their sons to cook

A new, first-of-its kind study has demonstrated that laughter can indeed be good medicine – especially for those with heart disease. Laughter therapy can increase the functional capacity of the cardiovascular system that includes the heart, lungs, arteries and veins, found the yet-to-be peer-reviewed research presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology in Amsterdam. Researchers, including Marco Saffi from the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre in Brazil, found reduced inflammation and better signs of health among coronary artery disease patients who engaged in a course of laughter therapy. They found laughter therapy sessions could cause the tissue inside a patient’s heart to expand, potentially leading to increased oxygen flow through the body. Until now, different treatments without the use of drugs have been studied in coronary artery disease patients, but the benefits of rehabilitation using laughter therapy was not fully assessed, scientists said. In the new study, the impact of laughter therapy on the functional capacity, tissue function as well as markers of inflammation in the bodies of patients with coronary artery disease was evaluated. The condition, which is one of the most common diseases in the world, arises when the heart’s coronary arteries struggle to supply the organ with enough blood, oxygen and nutrients. Scientists conducted a clinical trial involving 26 adults with an average age of 64 from August 2016 to December 2020, measuring each of their oxygen uptake and the widening of their main artery when blood flow increases. Researchers also measured levels of molecules in the patients’ bodies, indicative of inflammation such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM). Thirteen of the patients were assigned to the group that underwent laughter therapy by watching two self-selected TV comedy shows per week. The other 13 served as the control group and watched “neutral documentaries”, scientists noted. They said the study is the first controlled clinical trial to evaluate the impact of rehabilitation using laughter therapy on patients with coronary artery disease. It revealed an increase in the body’s peak oxygen uptake and improvements in tissue function as well as the body’s markers of inflammation. The new findings are in line with previous research that suggested having a good laughter session makes the body release endorphins, which are hormones that reduce stress and inflammation and help the heart and blood vessels relax. Based on the new results, presented at the world’s largest heart conference, scientists say laughter therapy may constitute an “effective form of cardiac rehabilitation in this patient population”. Read More How many steps a day can cut risk of early death (and it’s not 10,000) A broad genetic test saved one newborn's life. Research suggests it could help millions of others Snoring before age 50 is a health ‘red flag’, experts suggest How many steps a day can cut risk of early death (and it’s not 10,000) Experts warn that snoring before you turn 50 is a health ‘red flag’ ‘Boy moms’ called out for dubious logic behind teaching their sons to cook

The multinational girl group has sparked a debate about whether they can truly be considered K-pop.

Young adults who snore at night have a significantly higher risk of having a stroke and developing heart disease when they get older, a study has warned. Doctors have said that snoring should be treated as a “red flag” among adults below the age of 50. The study found that young adults who snore are 60 per cent more likely to develop a stroke when they reach middle age, and five times more likely to develop a heart rhythm disorder. The researchers presented their findings at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Amsterdam. They examined data from 766,000 US adults aged 20 to 50. These included 7,500 adults with obstructive sleep apnoea, a condition that causes interruptions to normal breathing during sleep. This can lead to loud snoring and interrupted sleep as sufferers wake up while struggling to breathe. The study found that, over the 10-year follow-up period, patients with sleep apnoea were 60 per cent more likely to suffer a stroke compared to those who did not snore as frequently. They were also five times more likely to develop atrial fibrillation, a heart condition that causes irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate. Symptoms of atrial fibrillation include heart palpitations, dizziness and shortness of breath. Lead author Professor Sanjiv Narayan, of Stanford University, said: “Sleep apnoea is really common but we sort of ignore it because we think it’s trivial or just a little bit of a nuisance. “Until now no one’s really shown the magnitude of the size of the risk for heart diseases. That’s what really surprised us.” He added that the study looked at “relatively young people” who may not know they are at risk. “If they had a stroke, it would devastate young families. It could take them away from their workplace. It would destroy their lives for the next 40 years.” The researchers suggest that GPs should ask patients regularly if they snore and highlight if as a heart health “red flag” that could show they need more tests or medication. Obstructive sleep apnoea is fairly common and is estimated to affect 1.5m adults in the UK. However, according to the British Lung Foundation, up to 85 per cent of sufferers are undiagnosed and go untreated. Men who are elderly and overweight are particularly prone to sleep apnoea. Interruptions to normal breathing can cause a dip in blood oxygen and cause the heart and blood vessels to strain. Prof Narayan explained: “When you are unable to breathe it raises the pressure in the lungs until you ultimately wake up gasping for breath. That puts a pressure load on the heart, which causes stretch in the heart chambers, and that could cause the atrial fibrillation. “Another theory could be that the oxygen levels in the blood fall for tens of seconds and that could put stress on the heart.” Sleep apnoea can be treated using a CPAP machine, a device that pumps air into a mask that the patient wears over their mouth or nose while they sleep. The NHS also recommends making lifestyle changes such as losing weight if the patient is overweight and exercising regularly, which can improve symptoms. Sleeping on your side may also help relieve sleep apnoea. Read More I feel it in my fingers: Why more of us should start eating with our hands Sean O’Malley sparks outrage after claiming it’s OK if he cheats on his wife Woman praised for refusing to switch seats with child during eight hour flight Liam Payne reveals he was hospitalised due to a ‘serious kidney infection’ ‘Boy moms’ receive backlash for teaching sons how to cook - but for the wrong reason This is how stress affects different parts of the body

Liam Payne is on the road to recovery, as he revealed that he was recently hospitalised due to a kidney infection. The singer, 29, took to Instagram on 25 August to share the news, while he announced that his upcoming tour - which was supposed to start next month - is going to be postponed. He expressed that his doctors advised him to focus on his health, after he’d been hospitalised due to a kidney infection. “It’s with a heavy heart I have to tell you that we have no other choice but to postpone my upcoming tour of South America,” he wrote in the caption, alongside a video of himself. “Over the past week I’ve been in hospital with a serious kidney infection. It’s something I wouldn’t wish on anyone, and doctors orders are that I now need to rest and recover.” While Payne expressed that he was “beyond excited to play” music, he acknowledged that fans will soon be refunded for their tickets. However, the former One Direction member also added that the new dates haven’t been decided yet. “To all of you who have bought tickets, I’m so sorry. We’re working to reschedule the tour as soon as we possibly can, but for now we will be refunding the tickets. So, please look out for updates from your point of purchase,” he wrote. “Thanks as always for the love and support, and look forward to seeing you soon.” In his video, the “Bedroom Floor” singer went on to describe how he’d been a “bit unwell” recently, following the “bad kidney infection”. “We started rehearsals, and I’ve just been advised that now is not the right time for me to be out on the road, trying to recover from this,” Payne said. “I have the best people around me at home trying to help me recover as we speak.” He also added that he hopes that when the time comes, he could “put on an even bigger show” for his fans. According to the National Health Service, hospitalisation as a result of kidney infection can occur for a variety of reasons - such as when a patient is severely dehydrated, unable to swallow or keep down any fluids or medicines, or has a weakened immune system. Fans rushed to the comments section of Payne’s video, where they sent him sweet messages and hoped for him to make a healthy recovery. “Always got your back, champ,” one wrote, while another added: “Get well soon! Love you and here for you forever and always.” A third wrote: “Sending one massive BIG hug your way.” The tour was initially set to kick off on 1 September in Lima, Peru, with his final show in Mexico City, Mexico, on 12 September. In July, Payne made his official return to his YouTube channel, where he discussed how excited he was to go back on tour. He also spoke candidly about his health, after finishing a 100-day rehabilitation stay and was nearly six months sober. Payne went on to admit that prior to sharing the YouTube video, he removed himself from the public eye for his mental well-being. “I just needed to take a little bit of time out for myself actually, because I kind of became somebody who I didn’t really recognise anymore,” he explained. “And I’m sure you guys didn’t either. I was in bad shape up until that point and I was really happy to kind of put a stopper to life and work.” In the YouTube video, the “Strip That Down” singer also discussed his appearance on Logan Paul’s podcast, Impaulsive. Payne expressed regret for some of the things he said about Zayn Malik, after professing that there were “many reasons why he disliked” his former One Direction bandmate. “I think for me, a lot of what I said just came from the wrong place,” Payne recalled. “I was so angry at what was going on around me that instead of taking a look inwards I decided to take it outwards.” Payne said he thought his anger stemmed from frustrations with his career and, rather than reflecting privately, he took his feelings out on others. He added that he “wanted to apologise” for his behaviour. Read More Liam Payne apologises for Zayn Malik comments as he completes 100 days in rehab Zayn Malik discloses ‘underlying issues’ that led to him quitting One Direction: ‘We got sick of each other’ Liam Payne says he’s over 100 days sober: ‘I feel amazing’ ‘Boy moms’ receive backlash for teaching sons how to cook - but for the wrong reason This is how stress affects different parts of the body Chris Pratt’s daughters give him a glittery makeover

Many people are calling out mothers of sons - also known as “boy moms” - for the reason why they’re teaching their sons how to cook, as some people call it a “red flag”. The TikTok trend first began when user Laura Elizabeth Graham shared a video of herself cooking in the kitchen with her young son, as she wrote over the clip: “Making sure my son can cook so he’s not impressed by your daughter’s [Stouffer’s] lasagna.” She continued to write in the video’s caption that her son would need a “home-cooked meal” from his future wife. Meanwhile, fellow “boy moms” also hopped on the trend, as one shared a similar video how she was teaching her son cooking skills so “he’s not impressed by your frozen pizza daughter”. The videos have since sparked a debate, as many users replied that they were teaching their sons to cook “because it’s a necessary life skill for independence.” “Teaching my son to cook because it’s a basic necessity,” one person commented under Graham’s video. Another person proclaimed they were “team daughter-in-law,” while one viewer added that the trend was “screaming red flags”. In response to the TikTok trend, some mothers took the opportunity to point out that showing young boys how to cook - just so that he’s not “impressed” by someone else’s cuisine - only teaches him to expect a higher level of household labour from his future partner. In fact, TikTok user Payal Desai posted a series of videos showing the ways in which she was teaching her sons how to take care of themselves - emotionally and physically - as they grow older. In one video, Desai showed her sons how to clean the dishes and explained why she does it: “So your daughter doesn’t have to deal with a man who was catered to his whole life.” @lauraelizabethgraham He’s gonna need a home cooked meal Felicia 😬 #boymom #boymomlife #boymomsoftiktok #mamasboy #mommasboy #mamasboys #relatablemom #motherinlaw #motherinlawproblems #momsoftiktok IB: @brontevictoria.capowski ♬ original sound - Laura Elizabeth Graham Many mothers of young boys also joined in, showing the ways in which they were empowering their sons to be more self-sufficient and responsible. Meanwhile, psychologist and mother Amber Wardell reacted to the TikTok trend, saying in a video: “I’m teaching my son to cook so that he will show up for his future wife as though she’s his partner and not his servant.” The ongoing trend to categorise parents as a “boy mom” or “girl dad” reportedly perpetuates gender stereotypes. “The gendering process then continues through quite literally every aspect of that child’s life: the pink or blue newborn hospital beanie, the princess or football player clothing gifted at the baby shower, the jungle or fairyland nursery room decor, and of course, the toy trucks or baby dolls,” Dr Jessica N Pabón-Colón - an associate professor of women’s, gender, and sexuality studies at SUNY New Paltz - explained to Refinery29 in 2021. @payalforstyle No dust here. #dustyson #dustydaughter #trend #boymom ♬ original sound - Bryan Pabón-Colón emphasised that juxtaposing opposite genders, in hashtags like #BoyMom, also reinforces supposed gender differences. Speaking to the outlet, she explained that both the #GirlDad and #BoyMom trend “announces the ‘feminine’ mother’s ability to parent a child whose ‘masculine’ gender is different from hers,” and ultimately suggests that parents of the opposite gender have to try harder to relate to their girls and boys. @sensible_amber This is how we create snobby, entitled men who treat their wives like the help and constantly compare them to mommy dearest. Let’s teach our boys to be self-sufficient, nurturing, compassionate, and supportive. Let’s teach them that their wives do not exist to be their mommies. Most importantly, let’s teach our sons that it is HEALTHY and NORMAL for them to one day leave us and become more attached to their wives than they are to us, and that this is what we WANT for them. Otherwise, we’ll all end up with our boys living with us forever — not because they love us but because no women will have them. They’ll be divorced, lonely and miserable, and we’ll still be cooking their meals. Is this really what we want for our sons? #motherhood #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodunited #parenting #boymom #biymomculture #toxicboymomculture ♬ original sound - Amber Although seemingly innocuous, she suggested that this mentality does more harm than good. While the hashtags themselves aren’t harmful, Pabón-Colón emphasised that their stereotypes are limiting. She argued that “the label ‘boy’ cannot possibly contain [a child’s] personality traits,” and that there’s more to any one person than their sex or gender. “Having a vulva does not explain a child’s desire to have a tea party with their dad any more than having a penis explains a child’s desire to climb a tree with their mom,” Pabón-Colón said. The Independent has contacted Laura Elizabeth Graham for comment. 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