If I address solely the title, I can give my critique on what Psychologists are doing to help. I largely agree with all the offerings. I think it needs to be said explicitly that there needs to be an effort to normalize psychological health and mental wellness. This includes therapy and all the other resources related. I also agree that there needs to be a marketing campaign to the mentioned end of normalization. Psychology does need a new face if not a variety of faces.
If I look at the claims within the article, there are complicated sets of arguments being made. Some I can accept, and others I have much more difficulty. Largely, I agree that a paradigm shift is taking place. I disagree with much of what I see as rationalization for a small subset of the Male or White-Male population. I don’t understand this notion of fitting in. Being introduced to changing or new norms is not some new human phenomenon. Immigrants of all colors have historically lived this and still do today as they deal with radically different societal and cultural norms.
The article quickly admits “many American men are fighting” and they’re losing ground in a conflict. It begs the question who or what is the enemy? Why is there a conflict? The article mentions later that “Men who strive to meet these masculine ‘ideals’ might feel threatened, consciously or otherwise, by societal shifts, including the increasingly powerful role of women in the workplace or the growing acceptance of same-sex relationships.” The power of women and homo-sexuality—itself an affront to traditional masculine norms—threatens some.
Now, why should this be my concern? These men are not the majority. And though all men face this reality to varying degrees, most can cope and so will adjust and adapt just fine. Most will never turn to violence. But there are enough that the threat of domestic terrorism is real. As the public is effectively held hostage by these actors, it becomes everyone’s concern.
So what’s the problem? Society is changing. The article argues we don’t talk to white men and ask them what they’re struggling with. Perhaps, but when has society asked anyone what they were struggling with intending to aid them? There exists rhetoric that is dismissive of white men’s problems. Both women and people of color believe the white male plight pales in comparison. Some of the rhetoric may be baseless, but I don’t see it’s entirety as unfair or untruthful. There are other examples of grievances being minimized historically. I don’t see that as the problem.
Society is changing but I don’t see the underlying tenets of masculinity changing too much. Most men aren’t struggling with adjustment for their effort. To not mention the racist undertones that led these white males to the Trump campaign also makes that reference incomplete in the article. Why is it that ethnic men don’t seem to struggle with these issues of changing norms the white their white counterparts might? As society moves towards ‘equality’, white men see their market share of social power decreasing. And to make matters worse, liberal policies enacted by the government assist with initiatives that promote ‘equity’. This is what has to be addressed. The article comes back to this idea again when it reads, “Other data suggest many of the nation’s white men—as well as women—are struggling with both physical and mental health problems. While other ethnic and racial groups have seen their health improve over the years, death rates have increased for middle-aged white Americans with no college education.” There seems to be a racial undertone or even existentialism that goes unaddressed. The article suggests that sexist attitudes might have detrimental effect on men’s mental health. I say that’s the case TODAY. Previously sexist attitudes were the norm, and they were rewarded if not ignored. It was the status quo and existed within society’s harmony. Racist attitudes were the same, despite abolitionism having a history older than Christianity.
I would agree that masculine ideology is under attack, but not by anyone in particular. It doesn’t seem compatible with where society is heading. Locker room talk won’t fly when your school is 69% female. Throughout my academic career I was always outnumbered by females, but only today am I keenly aware of it to the point where it makes me more deliberate in what I say. The change is real. Old, settled, dusty traditions are being kicked up and who knows where things will settle. Just as Locke’s arguments against hereditary rule were the same as his arguments against hereditary slavery, there are many arguments accepted today that lead to uncomfortable conclusions in other applications. Some white men are terrified of their vulnerability and all its forms, including emotional, fiscal, racial, etc.
As for fixing things, some of the offerings as solutions don’t seem like solutions at all. One part of traditional masculine ideology is that room has always been left for the less educated, simple man to be a man. If education is the solution, then men now compete with an increased emphasis on education. Now what? There will still be losers and men in the lower percentiles feeling left out. As labor jobs continue to decline, and we need to rely more on our brains to earn a living; we’ll still have a problem. The article makes me think we want to arm people with boiler plate arguments so that they can debate in real time with the wannabe Jordan Petersons and Ben Shapiros of the world.
The outreach through friends is a novel approach. This is the approach De Blasio is taking with his Mental Health First Aid initiative. It’s still being implemented so the results are to be seen. Ultimately, the reality is that Men must make peace with the fact that the increasing power of women will continue to force a rethinking of gender norms. Most men never felt powerful, fierce, or strong. To be depreciated further is confusing. At a time when there seem to be efforts to elevate everyone else but you, feeling left behind is natural. I just wish we were more honest and direct about this conversation. It’s more than just a gender thing white males particularly are dealing with. And its more than just a gender thing all men are dealing with. Loss of status and having to bend to another’s will is as un-masculine as it goes. Men are living that now.
