Question
Eisler in the psychology of men argues that men have an increase in health risk as a result of “Masculine Gender Role Stress.” What are you thoughts related to this argument? Are there alternative explanations that might account for health risk factors? Provide specific examples.
Answer
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Masculine gender role stress arises when men feel they are not living up to the societal expectations that arise out of their masculinity. In some circumstances, men are forced to act in ways that might be described as feminine. This results in negative psychological effects. The effects might sometimes pose serious health risks, for example, hostility towards other people.
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It is difficult to single out psychological effects of masculine gender role stress such as hostility, depression and anxiety as being caused by these problems per se. others factors could contribute to the exacerbation of these health risks. For example, if females disapprove of a feminine behavior in a man, the man might show hostility towards other people as an expression of anger, shame and resentment.
It is true that contexts where masculine roles have to be displayed are very critical moments for men. The psychological motivation for men to prove themselves is always overwhelming (Copenhaver, M. et al. 2000). This motivation might drive them towards harming themselves physically. A good example is sporting. Men engage in dangerous sporting activities in order to bring out the masculinity in them. By doing this, they hope to receive appreciation from the whole society. While In the pursuit of masculinity, they might expose themselves to health risks.
Sometimes, problems are stressful for men by virtue of being insurmountable. Any man has to come across such problems. In some cases, a man can perceive himself as feminine for failing to deal with the problem. Other causes of masculine gender related stress include emotional inexpressiveness, intellectual inferiority, subordination to women and failures in the workplace and during sex. (McCreary et al, 2005).
References
McCreary, D. et al. 2005. The relationship between masculine gender role stress and psychological adjustment: A question of construct validity? Hague: Springer Netherlands.
Copenhaver, M. et al. (2000) Masculine Gender-Role Stress, Anger, and Male Intimate Abusiveness: Implications for Men’s Relationships Sex Roles 42(5) p. 405-414