I’ve written about this before, and it bears repeating — the narrow gender role we have created for boys and men has caused a culture embedded in toxic masculinity, where our boys and men are hurting and dying — yes dying.
Outside of the narrow male gender role is seeking help for mental health. Men’s Health’s Not Talking About Mental Health Is Literally Killing Men says “your mental health is inseparable from your physical health. Not a revolutionary concept, but what is astounding is the stigmatization that still surrounds men who dare to talk about their mental struggles…..This macho attitude of stuffing your feelings down, or ignoring them, is antiquated and downright dangerous.” The outcome? A lot of pain and death. Male suicide rates have been on the rise for some time, labeled “the silent epidemic” because despite startling statistics, there is very limited media coverage.
In addition to discouraging men from seeking support for their mental health, the narrow male gender role breeds loneliness. Why Do We Murder the Beautiful Friendships of Boys states that emotional isolation holds the same risk factor for mortality as smoking. Said so well, “It is a heartrending realization that even as men hunger for real connection in our male relationships, we have been trained away from embracing it.” I’ve referenced this article before and it bears sharing again.
So, please let’s talk about this silent epidemic. You can also check-out The Mask You Live In, a Miss Representation’s piece exploring “America’s narrow definition of masculinity and the harm it causes boys and men” and my blog post Our Men Are Dying. It bears repeating, we must talk about this and broaden the dangerous male gender role.
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