The Gender Inequality of Suicide

[Bonobo]

It's not rocket science. The often crushing burden of having to take care of others financially, to be the one who carries this weight singlehandedly or at least for out of proportion falls on mens' heads. Is it any wonder that they suffer from suicide far more than women DESPITE the fact that women are reported to have higher rates of depression (which I doubt, perhaps they just self-report more because men are too busy working?)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2012/09/24/the-gender-inequality-of-suicide-why-are-men-at-such-high-risk/

The World Health Organization estimates that about one million people take their own lives each year, and this is not counting those who attempt it but are not “successful.” In just about every country, men commit suicide more frequently than women, which is intriguing since women typically have higher (at least, reported) rates of mental health disorders like depression. A new study looked at the factors that might explain why certain groups of men are so much more likely than women to take their own lives.

The study found that the suicide rate was ten times higher in men of lower socioeconomic status than in affluent men. The link between suicide and unemployment has been known for some time, but the authors discuss the reasons why, beyond losing a job, socioeconomic class might affect suicide risk. One factor is the increasing “‘feminisation’ of employment (shift towards a more service-oriented economy),” which may cause men to feel like they have less room in the professional world. The authors write that “men in lower socioeconomic groups now have less access to jobs that allow for the expression of working-class masculinity, and have thus lost a source of masculine identity and ‘pride.’” Yet losing a job may still make men feel like a “double failure, since they are unable to meet two central demands of the masculine role: being employed; and ‘providing’ for the family.”

Part of it may be that men actually have a higher threshold for pain, which could, counterintuitively, lead to a greater risk for suicide, in volcano-like fashion. They may also may poorer decisions when under stress – and men who are unemployed may not come up with effective solutions to personal problems as well as their employed counterparts.

How to reduce the risk of suicides in middle-aged men (or any other demographic) is a question to which there aren’t many answers. The authors of the new study suggest one way may be to develop effective interventions for young men and boys at risk, since many of the patterns leading to suicide in middle age may begin during youth.

[Major Nikon]

1. Substance abuse is higher among men

Also suicide rates are actually the highest for men over 45 which increase as men get older. I suspect many suicides are the result of deteriorating health conditions for which men suffer disparately compared to women. Men get the shit end of the stick for 14 of the 15 leading causes of death and I suspect that many just check out early rather than waiting for the inevitable.

[Bonobo]

2. That's probably part of it.

But I'm pretty sure that the stress of being the main providers -and then perhaps the blow of failing at that -is what drives many to kill themselves as well.

[Major Nikon]

3. Stress also contributes to health problems and substance abuse

So I think it's all part of the same cycle.

I have tremendous respect for single moms, especially those who don't receive family support. To a lesser degree men often have that same sort of pressure in that everyone is looking to you for that next meal on the table, and the difference is few have any sympathy if you fail.

[Bonobo]

4. It's still true.

And no, it is not sexist to talk about it.

Men kill themselves more often. And it doesn't take a genius to figure out why. Because they are over-burdened.

When I read that yet another Wall Street person had killed themselves, I had no doubt it was a man.

The burden of caring for your loved one, your children for their whole lives can be crushing. Men cannot very often afford to have "hobby jobs" that are fun or fulfilling. They are more likely to be forced to go for the ones that bring in the money whether they enjoy them or not. It sucks, but it is the reality for most men still.

When men ask me what they should do regarding work, I always say do what you love and the money will follow. I know it isn't always true, but I still think it's good advice.

[Major Nikon]

5. I'm not convinced that's good advice

I like ice cream, but if I worked at an ice cream parlor I'm reasonably sure I'd be sick of ice cream before long. I love flying and still do after almost 30 years of holding a private pilot's certificate. I don't think I'd feel the same way had I pursued a career as a commercial pilot. There's also the problem that if you love doing something, chances are a lot more people do as well so the law of supply and demand pretty much insures low wages. While it's certainly a drag to hate what you do, I think there's a lot to be said for just liking what you do or at least tolerating it. I also think the most important aspect is not to get on the back side of the work-to-live/live to work equation which happens quite often when people go chasing the almighty dollar because they keep trying to live past their means rather than trying to be happy with what they already have.