I want to make it abundantly clear that I’m not saying that men are being oppressed. Men can handle a great deal, but we have to admit that society has left us behind.
In the middle of woke craziness, men have been treated as second-class citizens. Society has done a great job of lifting other people up to ensure that everyone has advantages and opportunities like never before, but unfortunately, these actions have come at a price and to the detriment of men.
The supporting data
Data supports this assertion, as young men are twice as likely as women to live at home with their parents. 60% of the homeless population in the US is male. 90% of the prison population is men. And for the first time in the last 50 years, the male life expectancy has dropped. Men are twice as likely to struggle with opioid or alcohol addiction, and the male suicide rate is 3.5 times higher than women. There is a problem, and it’s only getting worse. The question is why. What can we do about it?
Why is this happening?
The first aspect is cultural pressures. Men are encouraged at a young age to be resilient, tough, and stoic. They are not supposed to be seen crying and are encouraged not to express themselves or be in touch with their emotions.
Another reason I feel men’s issues are being ignored is because of the LGBTQ+, racial equality, and women’s rights movements. I’m not saying that these are bad or shouldn’t happen; however, because we’re doing such a good job focusing on lifting up these groups and bringing them forward, men and their mental issues are not being considered. Men’s workplace issues, feelings of isolation, and mental issues are not being addressed. It shouldn’t be that men win and everybody else loses, or everybody else wins and men lose. We need to think of it holistically.
What makes matters worse is toxic masculinity. It became so front-facing because social media and media are twisting it. Men are hyperfocused on this idea of being toxic when they’re just trying to get a piece of ass, make a buck, and not feel bad about themselves. As a result, they’re becoming increasingly isolated.
Men are also viewed as disposable to a large extent because of a ‘women-and-children’ first mentality. I’m not saying it’s wrong, but these ideas permeate the modern day when everybody else takes precedence. Everybody else gets helped but men. Men are viewed as alright because they are always alright, but many of us are not well. That’s okay because therapy is available. I’ve often used it to deal with present or past issues or prevent me from moving forward. It helps to take control. You deserve to be happy. Get 10% off your first month of therapy with BetterHelp and get matched with a therapist who will listen and help you.
What can we do about it?
There is no one-size solution, and even though the old men of yesterday were awesome, they were also dealing with issues. They had to be tough, they took care of their families, and they did what was expected. But the world has changed, and if we don’t do a better job connecting with each other, we will self-destruct. We’ve become emotionally distraught and addicted to so many things, such as p^rn, technology, and substances. It’s a coping mechanism.
We need deep and lasting friendships and connections. Surround yourself with people you love, and remove toxic people from your life. You need people who uplift you and deserve you. You need people who encourage you, nurture your passions, and drive your dreams. These people will help you realize your potential. When you find your tribe, you can bond and connect.
Limit your time on social media, news, and commentary because they can cause more stress and anxiety. The less you consume, the better. Don’t believe the hype coming from the media and social media. The less time you spend on social media, listening to the news of any type, or paying attention to commentary on society, the better.
Focus on yourself and your family. You can’t change the world but you can change yourself and the people around you. You can help them and lift them up. Focus on your dreams, and things will start to fall into place.
