Manhood has its drawbacks. Macho men are more at risk of suffering from mental disorders and of not seeking psychological support.
Like a man. The expression is dated and yet it is still widely used. This sexist cliché does nothing to help those who buy into it. Men who feel the need to match the ideal of virility are more prone to mental disorders. A review of the literature, published in the Journal of Counseling Psychology, concludes in this sense. Not all are exposed in the same way to this discomfort, explain researchers from Indiana University Bloomington (United States).
78 studies were reviewed. They include a total of 119,453 men, whose compliance with virile standards was assessed using an 11-point scale. Can be considered macho those who want at all costs to win a competition, who take risks or appreciate domination, but also those who express disdain towards homosexual populations. Nothing really shining then.
Silent suffering
Especially since rolling mechanics is associated with poorer mental health. The phenomenon is particularly marked if virility is reflected, in the eyes of volunteers, in self-confidence, a playboy attitude and the need to have more power than a woman. “These are the norms most strongly associated with sexist behavior,” summarizes Joel Wong, who signs this work.
In view of the results, the researcher asserts that “sexism is not only a social injustice, but can also have deleterious effects on the mental health of those who adopt such attitudes. “
This virile ideal also pushes men not to report their discomfort. They therefore do not seek psychological support if they show signs of depression. The repercussions are more marked among Latin Americans who participated in the various studies. The myth of caballero is particularly deleterious in this population.
Difficult aging
The macho culture does not only have mental consequences. It is just as violent for the body. Because these men are not exempt from the disease, even if they would like to hide it. In front of their doctor, they will therefore tend to minimize the extent of the symptoms, especially if the professional is also male. Not being except for a paradox, they prefer to confide their weaknesses to a female doctor, even though they consider her to be inferior.
The phenomenon does not improve with age, it is rather the opposite. As recently reported Slate, aging poses a real problem for men who want a foolproof virility. Another review of the literature, published in Men and Masculinities, concludes that this period of life is a real challenge: the refusal to express one’s emotions and the ideal of physical strength increase vulnerability to grief and physical dependence. These incidents of life are however more numerous. They therefore imply an in-depth questioning. It is not certain that the most hardened machos are capable of it.
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