We have been socialized to believe that men are the superior gender and the society has gone ahead to prescribe how men should behave and act. However, this is retrogressive as it fails to look at men as human beings who need love and attention. We give you a list of issues afflicting men but largely ignored by the society and their panacea. This article is a must-read for men.
Domestic abuse
Gone are days when women and children used to be the only ones affected by domestic abuse. Men, too, are victims of this vice. In Kenya, domestic violence against men manifests itself in the form of physical and emotional abuse perpetrated by women within the domestic setting. Data on the magnitude of domestic violence against men is largely unavailable because the concerned party is afraid to speak about it for fear of being mocked. Be that as it may, you should reach out for help, as keeping quiet will not do you any good.
Work place deaths
Experts claim that men are genetically programmed to heed the old saying ‘fortune favours the brave’. This has seen a lot of them become twice as adventurous and carefree as their female colleagues. On the other hand, women are more cautious when looking for a job and rarely will they engage in jobs that will put their lives at risk. The trend has seen a big number of men die while in the line of duty. Arm yourself with protective equipment when carrying out precarious tasks.
Depression
While it’s true that depression can affect either gender, the number of men suffering from depression is slightly higher than that of women. Women are likely to seek help when things are not working for them while men prefer to die than confess that there is something bothering them. And even when they open up, they are likely not to get the help they needed and instead become more vulnerable. This may lead the individual to indulge in drugs, commit suicide or even kill their partners or other family members. If you find yourself harbouring suicidal or harmful thoughts, seek for mental health help.
Change of roles
In the traditional African setting, men are regarded as the breadwinners of the family. But we live in the 21st century where women have been empowered and are thus bringing their own share at the table. Some women are even earning better salaries than their spouses or are more successful than their husbands. This may be quite intimidating especially to a man who suffers from esteem issues. Appreciate your wife and cheer her on, as her success is also your success.
Unrealistic expectations
We live in very competitive times and our society expects a man to be successful in every aspect of his life. According to the society, you aren’t successful if you don’t have a stable source of income, a family, a house and a car. Most of the times, pressure to reach those parameters is piled on the head of the house and that’s the man. Shun the temptation of keeping up with the Joneses and ensure that you are on same page with your wife and children on the same.
Violence
Generally, men lead more violent lives than women. Men are more likely to join gangs or to be involved in violence than women. It’s common knowledge that boys are more likely to be involved in fights with their age mates than girls and to make matters worse, parents sometimes fuel such fights. It’s not a wonder to find out that most men were encouraged by their parents to punch kids who insulted them while they were young. The trend has seen the society bring up violent individuals. Always resort to amicable ways of solving misunderstandings.
Unemployment
Unemployment is a global problem that affects almost everyone without discrimination but women are more likely to find a soft landing after retrenchment than men who are left alone. If you find yourself unemployed, look for alternative ways of earning a living such as starting a business or doing casual work.
Infertility
Both men and women can experience infertility but its impact is felt more by men than women as sometimes such men are mocked by the society. Most of the times, men suffering from infertility pull out from friends hence leading a lonely life. This affects their esteem. Seek medical help and avoid negative people.
Fashion9 years ago