The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #95476   Message #1857305
Posted By: George Papavgeris
12-Oct-06 - 07:37 PM
Thread Name: BS: Young men 'suicide'
Subject: RE: BS: Young men 'suicide'
Why do the stats not surprise me? We are taught that "big boys don't cry" from an early age, and most of us still live in societies that use masculine measures for success - achievement, wealth amassed, competitiveness, assertiveness. Even when women are allowed to break through the "glass ceiling", they often have to do so by being measured with masculine yardsticks which are simply used more equitably today than in the past. The Sensitive New Age Man may meet with approval in some quarters, but is not judged successful because of it - usually the opposite. Sharing of problems not encouraged ("do I look as if I care?", "mind your own business", "he's a strong silent one"...need I go on?). It's all a recipe for bruised egos to fester, especially young ones, when sense of self-worth has not yet matured. Very sad, but inevitable and not at all surprising.