Paltry
Masculinity – the way men are brought up to behave and the roles, attributes and
behaviours that society expects of them – contributes to suicide in men. Men
compare themselves against a masculine ‘gold standard’ which prizes power,
control and invincibility. When men believe they are not meeting this standard,
they feel a sense of shame and defeat. Having a job and being able to provide
for your family is central to ‘being a man’, particularly for working class men.
Masculinity is associated with control, but when men are depressed or in crisis,
they can feel out of control.
The Samaritans’ MEN, SUICIDE AND SOCIETY report