GRSJ224/Negative Effects of Traditional Masculinity on Mental Health

Traditional Views of Masculinity

Traditional masculinity is a social construct created under a patriarchal society that dictates the acceptable ways of acting, dressing, speaking, and expressing emotion for heterosexual men. Spanning over numerous decades, the ideology of traditional masculinity has been so ingrained in mainstream society that it has become the stereotype for the average male. This stereotype has been perpetuated continuously in movies, books, poetry, social media, and other popular media. The American Psychological Association has defined the founding traits of traditional masculinity to be “anti-femininity, achievement, eschewal of the appearance of weakness, and adventure risk and violence” .

In order to be traditionally masculine, it connotes that one must also be anti-feminine. By this, it means that one must reject all traditionally feminine ideals, from exhibiting gentleness to liking the colour, pink. One cannot have feminine tastes in art or clothing, nor can they take up feminine behaviours. Displaying too much emotion or signs of weakness, such as crying, is also considered feminine and thus not socially acceptable within the ideology of traditional masculinity.

Achievement is another big aspect of the traditional masculinity stereotype; material gain in particular. The popular “breadwinner mentality” stems from the ideals of traditional masculinity – the dominant male who is able to achieve a sustainable income and provide for his family and loved ones. Within a traditional patriarchal system, it is expected that men will be able to make a living for themselves and be the providers of the household.

Willingness to accept risk and violence refers to the traditional idea that men ought not to show fear. Instead, we are expected to embrace danger and risk. These are the recurring themes within the traditional masculinity ideology. In recent years, studies have shown that these characteristics have been proven to have negative consequences on men’s physical and mental health.

History of Emasculation of Mental Health

18th to 19th Century

As North American countries were forming, new land was being explored and cities were being constructed, the idea of masculinity was also being socially constructed within society. As men began to conquer new Western frontiers, they had to exhibit self-control and perseverance, even in times of danger. This is a masculine ideal that still exists today. Showing emotional vulnerability was considered a sign of weakness and had the potential to ruin one’s reputation. As men began to domesticate the natural terrain and acquire their own land, the ability to fend for one’s self and take care of one’s own land was also deemed as part of a man’s duties. From these smaller ideas, themes of achievement and independence began to emerge as fundamental characteristics of masculinity.

20th Century: WWI & WWII

In the 20th and 21st century, wartime was one of the biggest influences on the shaping of masculinity. Physical strength, aggression and domination became huge indicators of what it meant to be a man, and a lack of these characteristics was considered unacceptable and almost deviant in mainstream society. One of America’s most influential presidents, Theodore Roosevelt, stated that “we despise and condemn the soldier who flinches in battle”. A majority of citizens looked down upon those who showed emotional vulnerability or signs of fear. During this time, the mainstream belief was that if one could not see a visible injury, then there was nothing to diagnose, and it was not a “real” injury. Of course, this had severely harmful effects on men’s mental health post-war. In WWI, many men who suffered from what we now know as shell-shock were refused a diagnosis because military commanders believed soldiers were simply being weak and shirking their duties as men. The hysteria that comes with shell-shock was a highly feminized symptom, and men who exhibited it were viewed as inferior and cowardly. From this time period, the common theme of physical dominance and willingness to face risk and violence emerged.

Negative Effects of Traditional Masculinity on Mental Health

The social construct of traditional masculinity in America has been shaped over decades by a multitude of social and political factors. Today, these ideals have yielded undesirable effects on men’s mental health in a variety of ways.

Male Harness

The concept of the male harness refers to the “social and cultural imperative in Western societies that men be emotionally controlled, competitive, independent, and successful”. Due to this need for control and independence, men tend not to make close relationships with other men and only rely on their spouses for support. Men in the harness are at higher risk for mental health problems if faced with issues such as divorce, illness, job loss etc.

Fear of Homosexuality

The ideals of traditional masculinity do not allow for affectionate, “feminine” behaviour, especially with other men. Thus, men become afraid to exhibit affectionate behaviour towards other men, which discourages them from finding male therapists because they equate emotional closeness with homosexuality. Homosexuality, of course, is not socially acceptable within traditional masculinity ideology, and so heterosexual men become less likely to engage with therapists, which can only worsen negative mental health symptoms.

Reduced Help-Seeking

Exhibiting weak or vulnerable emotions is considered unmanly and the individual is seen as weak. On the other hand, independence and the ability to provide for oneself are considered to be positive masculine characteristics. For these reasons, there are significantly reduced levels of help-seeking among men compared to women. Men are encouraged to endure in silence to preserve their masculinity rather than reach out for help. This is detrimental to men’s mental health because it promotes unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with stress.

Maladaptive Coping Mechanisms

Since the act of help-seeking is viewed as unmanly and effeminate, men tend to resort to unhealthier coping mechanisms to overcome their situations. These mechanisms tend to be avoidance and escape tactics, such as social withdrawal, substance abuse, risk-taking behaviour, anger-fuelled conflict and increased work hours. Of notable concern is the fact that some men believe suicide is a braver and more masculine attempt at gaining control over one’s life rather than therapy.