Masculinity
11:04Masculinity & Depression
masculinity
ˌmaskjʊˈlɪnɪti/
noun
- possession of the qualities traditionally associated with men.
Boys as young as two years are taught that some characteristics and that they should not require as much affection, protection and comfort. From a young age boys are taught to strive for success, to be competitive and control their feelings, thus they begin to downplay their needs and wants. This is usually taught subconsciously by parents leading to emotional shortchanging at the most vulnerable part of the boys life. These lessons have life long life affect into their adult lives.
Masculinity norms govern the way that men seek help, in particular when men adhere closely to the norms that encourage them not to share their emotions, they can have poorer mental health outcomes such as depression. Usually because they pull themselves away from a social support system that would help them through such a difficult time.
Depression in men can often go unnoticed. Signs of the illness including sleeping too much or too little, substance abuse and aggressiveness amongst others. Often these signs are dismissed as laziness, I can identify men in my life that have exhibited these signs and I have been quick to become frustrated and almost shout at them to get it together. Suggesting that perhaps as women we also expect men to fulfill these stereotypes and fail to offer them the emotional support that we as women crave. Its important to examine the way we interact with the men in our lives, ladies, and for men to allow themselves to be emotional with other men around them. As much as we may laugh and banter we must also share love openly and cry together.
 |
| @iggyldn |
As I stated in my previous post on mental health, illnesses do not discriminate based on race or gender. Being a man, makes no difference to whether you should feel able to discuss, think about or engage with your feelings. It is crucial men are able to have conversations with others, but particularly with other men, about their mental health and feelings. It is only when our idea of ‘what it means to be a man’ begins to alter, that men will be able to open up, or reveal about themselves, those feelings or difficulties they are experiencing.
Until next time
Chengetai Victora
xoxo
0 comments