Men bear the brunt of the “loneliness epidemic” amid strong social pressures

A couple of weeks before Justin Bieber and his wife Hailey announced in May 2024 that they were expecting a baby, the pop icon posted a selfie during which he seems tearful and disturbed.

While media attention quickly focused on the pregnancy, little attention was paid to the importance of a male celebrity and Expectant father publicly shares his vulnerability.

Nevertheless, Bieber's social media post is notable since it makes his inner struggle visible.

Emotional pain is linked to serious health problems. But the general public's response to male expressions of emotion and vulnerability is usually trivializing, if not dismissive. In response to Bieber's tearful post, for instance, Hailey described him as “pretty screamer.”

A 12 months ago, Canadian rapper Dax released the song “Being a person.” He said at the time: “This is a song that I put my heart and soul into. I pray that it reaches everyone who needs it.”

The message of the song remains to be relevant today. It incorporates the lyrics:

Yes, I do know, this life can really get to you, uh
You need to scream, but you don't make a sound, uh
You have carried a lot weight
But as a person I is not going to show emotions, that is still unspoken

As Researchers WHO Studying fatherhood and the roles that men play in their familieswe recognize the loneliness and pain in these lyrics. We've heard fathers describe the burden they face when they struggle to maintain their feelings bottled up.

In A recent study we conducted In a survey of 75 recent and expectant Black fathers, they spoke concerning the need to handle individual and collective trauma. This, they said, would ultimately help support their families. However, they said resources to assist men with their mental health are sometimes unavailable or very limited. They said they often feel invisible to health care providers.

“As a father and a man,” said one participant, “you have to keep the peace and be strong on the outside. But inside, you know, you're falling apart.”

Dax's writing and our research reflect an ongoing social health challenge: the deafening silence that typically surrounds men's mental health.

The consequences of isolation for men

In May 2023, US Health Secretary Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a advice declaring what he called Epidemic of loneliness and isolation within the country. Our research confirms this plague.

Because men's social support network – colleagues, family, close childhood friends – is usually less strong than women's, they’re disproportionately affected by the epidemic. The resulting loneliness has very real health consequences.

Murthy's report links loneliness to negative health outcomes, including “a 29% increased risk of heart disease, a 32% increased risk of stroke and a 50% increased risk of dementia in older people. In addition, lack of social connection increases the risk of premature death by more than 60%.”

While Murthy’s report focuses on each men and girls, research shows that men They use psychiatric services less continuously than womenIn addition, men have a more negative attitude towards searching for help and usually tend to discontinue treatment prematurely than women.

Given these consequences, a caring society can ask itself: Why are men those who bear the brunt of those health risks, and what may be done about it?

Redefining the worth of men beyond earning a living

Many aspects can contribute to feelings of isolation and disconnection in men.

In “To Be A Man,” Dax points out a crucial factor:

As a person we must pave our way
Our only function is to work and toil
There isn’t any respect for you if you happen to should not paid
You are disrespected as a human being and can’t complain

Traditional definitions of masculinity emphasize the importance of the person’s role as breadwinner.

An uncertain economy And increasingly expensive housing and food prices make it difficult for a lot of men to supply for a family financially. These aspects undermine men’s self-esteem and contribute to feelings of loneliness and isolation.

As partners and fathers, men are still often viewed as inferior in the event that they are unable to supply for the family. And societal norms emphasize that they should not valued for his or her role as caregivers, at the same time as they turn into more involved than ever in raising their children.

This has no relation to reality.

Our research shows that men play a crucial role of their children's lives as caregivers and have a powerful influence on children's health and well-being. Men also find meaning of their role as fathers.

As Dax says:

As a person, our son is our horizon

The costs of suppressed vulnerability

In addition to the pressure to supply for his or her children, men must also overcome persistent stereotypes that demand that they seem stoic and keep their fears and sadness to themselves.

Again, gender norms must be revised. Boys and men have to feel comfortable presenting their true, authentic selves to the world. Suppressing their vulnerability will make it harder for them to hunt help and can perpetuate stigma and the loneliness epidemic.

There is a posh interplay between society's assumptions and views about men and fatherhood.

Men are subsequently less more likely to seek mental health services than women. Health care providers are subsequently Men usually tend to underdiagnose and misdiagnoseIn addition, the health resources provided are sometimes not tailored to the needs of men.

Societal expectations can create unbearable pressure for men. And probably the most marginalized groups, like low-income black fathersbear a disproportionate burden, research shows. This became much more evident in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, when Black fathers working in high-risk and essential jobs put supporting their children and families ahead of their very own infection risk and mental health.

As men proceed to redefine their roles in families and communities, it will be significant for society to create an area where their vulnerability and full humanity are recognized and accepted in all societal roles.

Men need an outlet for his or her pain. They would profit from relationships – with partners, family and friends – that support and encourage them in good times and through emotional challenges. Without the vital access to support services, their loneliness will proceed to be disproportionate.

Men may consider participating in low-stakes discussion groups of their community, online groups, and church. They may additionally visit therapists in person or online for introductory sessions to Test the therapeutic interaction 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 will't express
It is the circle of life, as a person you handle
They don't know what you're price until the day you die

As the Biebers adjust to life as parents, perhaps Justin will find people to seek advice from about his experiences and feelings, individuals who will fully see and value him. And we hope the identical for each man and father who lives his life away from the highlight, doing what’s best for himself and his family.