The Role of Masculinity Norms in Men's Mental Health: Breaking Stereotypes

by Samriddhi Deshmukh

The concept of masculinity is often associated with courage, strength, sternness, and unambiguous moral standard. However, in the traditional masculine model, there exists a shadowy area, which is overused in movies and popular culture. With its over use, it has rendered itself useless in serving ideals of masculinity to the younger generation. These false representations had undoubtedly impacted the social perspective on masculinity. In turn, these social biases would impact the individuals who interact within a certain society. The detrimental effects that outmoded notions of masculinity have on men's mental health have come to light more and more in recent years.

Men are typically seen in these movie representations and thereby by society as stoic, emotionless, and unflappable, however there are costs associated with this reputation. It pushes males to keep their emotions within, inhibits them from seeking assistance, and perpetuates false notions about what it means to be a guy. Improving men's mental health requires a break from these constrictive conventions.

The assumption that males should always be strong and resilient, regardless of the circumstances, is one of the biggest social pressures placed on them. This frequently pushes people to repress their feelings and refrain from seeking assistance when they need it. Renowned therapist Dr. Terry Real notes that men and boys are socialised to show solely anger by stifling other emotions. The persistent pressure to conform to a limited interpretation of masculinity might have a detrimental effect on their mental well-being by discouraging people from seeking assistance when they most need it.

It is even more difficult for males to confess their mental health difficulties because traditional masculinity is often associated with vulnerability, which is incorrectly linked with weakness. Renowned research scholar Dr. Brené Brown argues that vulnerability is not a weakness and that thinking of it as such might be dangerous. Men can develop more comfort in expressing their feelings and asking for help when facing mental health issues by challenging this false idea.

The suicide rate is a stark example of how these masculinity ideals have an impact. Men are far more likely than women to commit suicide, a difference that might be partly explained by the expectations placed on men by society to be independent and stoic. Suicidology specialist Dr. Thomas Joiner explains that males frequently feel pressure to handle their issues on their own, which can keep them from getting the vital support they need.

Thankfully, there is a growing effort to challenge these conventional wisdoms and promote a more accepting and encouraging environment for men's mental health. Man Up Campaign and the Movember Foundation are two examples of initiatives that actively work to break down misconceptions and promote candid conversations about mental health among men. These initiatives highlight how important it is to ask for assistance, share personal stories, and reject antiquated ideas about what it means to be a man.

Notable people are also speaking out against the harmful standards of masculinity and pushing for reform. Actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, for example, has openly shared his struggles with depression, proving that vulnerability is actually a sign of strength rather than weakness. He emphasised the need of admitting when anything is wrong in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, wishing that someone had comforted him at his lowest points.

More and more mental health practitioners are realising that in their therapeutic methods, it is imperative to address conventions around masculinity. It is recommended that therapists establish secure and impartial spaces where men can freely express their feelings and discuss mental health issues. Therapists who acknowledge the influence of masculinity standards on men's mental health might offer their male clients more effective and customised support.

Men's attitudes towards mental health and desire to seek treatment are greatly influenced by traditional ideas of masculinity. By dispelling these myths and promoting a more inclusive definition of masculinity, we can create settings where men feel confident enough to put their mental health first. By means of activism, education, and support, we can demolish detrimental norms and create a more positive future for men's mental health. The wise words of Dr. Brown are, "When we own our stories, we get to write a brave new ending."