Masculine norms or “code”, as they are often referred to in psychological research, is described as the rules of masculinity which define how men should behave in specific situations.
Some of these “codes” of conduct, for example, include when faced with adversity, men should always stay in control, be tough and indifferent, and continue to be a provider, rather than someone who seeks help and comfort.
However, the effects these so-called norms might have on a man’s mental health can be detrimental – especially when men encounter tough times or fail to comply with these norms.
Masculinity and the effect it has on Men’s Mental Health
Adherence to or “compliance” with masculine norms like self-reliance and the need to be tough, has been a good predictor of lower health literacy. In addition, men with poor mental health tend to have low health literacy as well. In fact, it is well know that men are more likely to die prematurely than women.
In this study, it was concluded that conformity to masculine norms and symptoms of depression can be predictors of men’s health literacy. The results suggest that there is a need for greater health literacy which address the underlying complexities of gender-specific help-seeking behaviours. And this certainly calls for a change towards how men react to adversity and the impact it can have on their mental health as a result of trying to “go it alone”.
Feeling vulnerable – opening up about how you feel, let alone telling others about your mental illness – can be a terrifying experience as a man. Throughout our lives, we’ve been told that we need to “man up” in order to deal with adversity and solve problems, or that “boys don’t cry”. Unfortunately, little boys who are constantly told to “take things like a man”, often grow into adults who fail to seek the required treatment for mental health issues.
The problem is further exacerbated because patriarchal society urges men not to show vulnerability or ask for help. Throughout their lives, boys and men have been told that they should be strong and in order to fulfil their duty as the bread winner and self-reliant protector, they must be tough, fearless and courageous no matter what the cost.
In fact, society in general strongly stigmatises the fact that sensitive men are weak men or feminine men who open up about their emotions or mental health issues.
The impact of too much Masculinity in the face of Mental Illness
This constant reinforcement of cultural or traditional masculine norms is quite harmful not just due to the sexism and unequal treatment of the opposite gender – but also due to the harmful and downright fatal effects it can have on men themselves.
The toxic effect of masculine norms reverberates more disproportionately across men living in marginalised societies. For example, black men living below the poverty line are far more likely to suffer from psychological distress than those above it.
The Bottom Line
What’s the best way to cope with the issue? We already know that masculine norms can be highly detrimental to men’s mental health. As a society, we must at least try to break away from this stigma of being less of a man by encouraging men to talk more about their emotions and speaking openly about mental health.
For any man who has suffered from mental illness or coping with it – it does not make you weak or questions your masculinity. If anything, it makes you a lot stronger.