The notion of manly tears is a situation in which it is acceptable for a man to cry. I know of this mostly as it relates to anime, namely in certain situations during the anime FMA where Major Armstrong cries, as he fits a very stereotypical macho role otherwise.

On one hand, I see this notion as being the acceptable excuse for a man to cry. On reddit, you see something very sad that actually does bring tears to your eyes, you can make a comment along the lines of 'manly tears were shed' or 'ITT: manly tears'.

On the other, it still perpetuates the idea that men aren't supposed to cry in some situations, those 'not deserving of manly tears' so to speak. It perpetuates the idea that men can't just cry normally.

So, is the meme of manly tears one that helps or hurts the spread of the idea that it is acceptable for men to cry in sad situations.