Man up: Are masculine stereotypes making men fear ageing?

Experts believe societal pressures are to blame

Masculine ideals just don’t fit with the realities of old age (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Worried about getting old? Who isn’t - but it turns out that society’s expectations of men is making it a whole lot tougher for them to handle the passage of time.

Researchers have begun focusing on how the concept of letting go of their masculinity can actually make ageing more difficult for men who conform strongly to stereotypes, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Toxic masculinity, a concept that refers to the socially constructed attitudes that describe the male gender, is responsible for the pressure on men to be strong, independent, stoical, competitive and tough. But, these ideas just don’t fit with the realities of old age.

And, while efforts have been made to challenge this, doctors and therapists believe that traditional thinking about masculinity can work against men’s health leaving them poorly equipped to handle the challenges that come with getting older.

Researchers have found five traditional stereotypes about masculinity that experts feel can interfere with good health for older men.

Men should be strong

The belief that a man’s body is expected to perform can really add to the stress of ageing for men as the idea that ‘real men’ are physically strong goes against what’s happening naturally to your body. As a result, this can often feel like a sign of weakness but that doesn’t mean men have to let go of feeling physically fit altogether. You just might need to adjust your expectations a little.

You should always take risks

Studies have shown that younger men demonstrate their strength and toughness by taking risks but as people get older, their body lacks the same healing powers it once had. Thus, acts like heavy drinking, smoking and playing sports with high injury rates can become downright reckless in older men.

Men need to work

For men, leaving work can be one of the most difficult parts of ageing. With a job comes a sense of achievement, respect and status, all of which can feel lost when it comes to retirement. Instead, choosing to take part in encore careers, volunteer work or taking an active role in your community can help re-affirm masculinity.

You should never ask for help

It has been proven that men with strong masculinity beliefs find it harder to ask for help, particularly when it comes to health care. Doing so can be seen as vulnerable, sacrificing self-control and a lack of independence. However, viewing making appointments as actually taking control and not being beaten by medical issues can help to tackle this.

Keep your emotions hidden

Many men have been bought up to be stoic and not reveal their weaknesses, worries or emotions but this can become problematic in later life when they experience devastating losses. How are they supposed to grieve? At this point, it’s important for men to understand that it’s okay to express emotion and to figure out if there is a specific way, time or place that works best for them to release it.