Weeks before Justin Bieber and wife Hailey announced their pregnancy in May 2024, the pop icon posted a selfie. he looks distraught with tears in his eyes.
While media attention quickly turned to the pregnancy, little attention was paid to the significance of the pregnancy of a male celebrity. Expectant father publicly shares his vulnerability.
But Bieber’s social media posts are notable for making his inner struggles visible.
Mental distress is associated with serious health problems. However, the public response to men’s expressions of emotion and weakness is often dismissive, if not dismissive. For example, in response to Bieber’s tearful post, Hailey wrote of him:Quite a crybaby”
A year ago, Canadian rapper Dax said,to become a man” he said at the time. “This is a song I put my heart and soul into. I hope it reaches everyone who needs it.”
Today, the song’s message remains timely. Also includes lyrics:
Yeah, I know this life can really break you down, uh
I want to scream but there’s no sound, eh
It’s as heavy as you are carrying
But as a man, I don’t express my feelings that can’t be expressed in words.
as researcher who study fatherhood and the role played by men their familywe recognize the loneliness and pain in this lyric. We heard fathers explain the cost of trying to keep a lid on their emotions.
in Recent research we conducted They spoke to 75 new and prospective Black fathers about the need to address individual and collective trauma. They said this would ultimately help support their families. But they said resources to support men’s mental health were often unavailable or very limited. They said they often felt like they were invisible to health care providers.
One participant said, “Being a father and a man means you have to keep the peace and be strong on the outside. But on the inside, you’re falling apart.”
Dax’s lyrics and our research reflect an enduring social health challenge: the deafening silence that surrounds men’s mental health.
The cost of isolation for men
In May 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued recommendations highlighting the issues he described. The prevalence of loneliness and isolation In the country. Our research confirms this dire situation.
This epidemic disproportionately affects men because their social support networks (coworkers, family, close childhood friends) are often weaker than women’s. The resulting loneliness has very real health implications.
The Mercy report found that loneliness is associated with negative health outcomes, including “a 29% increased risk of heart disease, a 32% increased risk of stroke, and a 50% increased risk of developing dementia in older adults.” Masu. Additionally, a lack of social connection increases the risk of premature death by more than 60%. ”
While Mercy’s report focuses on both men and women, research shows that men less likely to seek mental health services than women. Furthermore, men are more reluctant to seek help and are more likely to leave treatment prematurely than women.
With these consequences in mind, a caring society might ask why men bear the brunt of this health risk and what can be done about it.
Redefining the value of men beyond earning money
Many factors can contribute to men’s feelings of isolation and alienation.
In “To Be A Man,” Dax points to one salient factor.
As men, we have to carve our own path
our only function is to labor and be slaves
If you don’t pay, you won’t be respected.
I can’t complain because I’m ignored as a human being.
Traditional definitions of masculinity emphasize the importance of men’s role as breadwinners.
uncertain economy and increasingly expensive housing And food prices make it difficult for many men to financially support their families. These factors also undermine a man’s sense of self And it promotes feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Men who cannot financially support themselves as partners and fathers are still often perceived as inadequate. And social norms emphasize that their abilities as caregivers are not valued, even as they become more involved in raising children than ever before.
This is far from reality.
Our research shows that men play an important role as caregivers in children’s lives and have a significant impact on their health and well-being. Men also find meaning in their role as fathers.
Dax says:
As a man, the son is our horizon
Cost of suppressing vulnerabilities
Besides the pressure to provide, men also have to overcome the persistent stereotype that they should be stoic and keep their fears and sorrows to themselves.
Here too, gender norms need to be updated. Boys and men need to feel safe presenting their true selves to the world. When they suppress their weaknesses, they create barriers to seeking help. It also perpetuates the prevalence of prejudice and isolation.
There is a complex interplay between society’s assumptions and beliefs about men and fatherhood.
As a result, men are less likely than women to seek mental health services. As a result, healthcare providers Men are more likely to be underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed. Furthermore, even when medical resources are available, they are often not tailored to men’s needs.
Society’s expectations can put unbearable pressure on men. And the most marginalized groups are Like low-income black fathers.research shows, carry a disproportionate burden. This has become even more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, as Black fathers in high-risk essential jobs prioritize supporting their children and families over their own risk of infection and mental health. I prioritized that.
As men continue to redefine their roles within their families and communities, it is important for society to create a space that recognizes and embraces the vulnerability and full humanity of men in all social roles.
Men need an outlet for their pain. They will benefit from relationships with partners, family, and friends who will support and nurture them through times of joy and emotional challenges. Without connections to needed services, their loneliness will continue to grow disproportionately.
Men can consider joining low-risk discussion groups in their communities, online groups, and churches. You can also find a therapist in person or online for an introductory treatment session. Test therapeutic interactions before establishing a more consistent pattern of therapeutic services.
In “To Be a Man,” Dax sings:
No wonder most men are so depressed
all the things they can’t express
It’s the cycle of life, what you offer as a man
They don’t know your worth until you die
As the Biebers adjust to parenthood, Justin may find someone to talk to about his experiences and feelings, someone who sees and values him fully. And we wish the same for all men and fathers who live their lives away from the spotlight and do what’s best for themselves and their families.
This article is republished from conversation Under Creative Commons License. please read original article.
