Psychologists explain traditional masculinity as harmful

In the network there is a war of the sexes, sparked by the new advertising spot of the razor manufacturer Gillette blade. The company has discontinued its 30-year-old Slogan "The Best a Man Can Get". Now it means: "The Best Men Can Be." With the promotional film, the company is turning against sexism and macho culture, and against "toxic masculinity". He shows men brawling boys to disconnect or woman harasser to stop.

On the last Sunday of the Clip was uploaded to Youtube, since then, a Shitstorm is raging. More than 21 million Times, the Film was clicked 300'000 Times commented, mostly negative. Indignant men understand the Spot as a blanket attack on your gender, go to the Gillette Boycott.

While the razor-armed throws-high waves, went under largely that the American Psychological Association (APA) has taken up the issue of masculinity and the similar direction. The world's largest and most influential Association of Psychologists, with 130'000 members, has drafted a 31-page Directive for the practice. Key finding: The traditional masculinity ideology, which consider elements such as performance, risk, domination, avoidance of weakness, and violence in the leg, was bad for you.

The APA cited in its Guidelines far more than 300 sources. These show that men are übervertreten in many problem areas. "For example, boys are represented disproportionately among school children with learning difficulties and behavioural problems", it says. "At the same time, men are overrepresented in prisons and commit more violent crimes."

The suicide rate was higher than in the case of women, there were more Deaths due to lung cancer or heart disease. Reason the classic image of masculinity is, according to the APA often. In the guidelines, the Association advises that is why all the psychologists, "boys and men on the restrictive nature of masculine ideologies, to educate".

suicide rates of Swiss men is three times higher

Many of the findings of the American psychologist also apply to Switzerland. 59'746 men were to appear in 2017 for a Crime, but only 18'343 women. In the case of homicides, the ratio was eight to one. And in the prisons, the women's quota is 5.6 percent. 759 men committed 2016 suicide, at the same time 257 women. Also, the number of deaths due to lung cancer, Aids or heart diseases are distributed very differently. On average, women living in Switzerland for four years longer.

in Spite of these Numbers: Psychological guidelines for the manhood there is in Switzerland. The official Swiss organizations are silent on the gender question. In the case of the Federation of Swiss psychologists (FSP), the counterpart to the American APA, will be sent to the press officer with the statement: "The FSP does not act as an Association on this issue."

"Stereotypes, clichéd masculinity has, of course, problematic pages."Mike Mottl, man office Züri

In the case of the Swiss Association for child and adolescent psychology, a representative of the Board explained, he think the Americans anyway, "Puke," is all he could say. The Federal office of public health finally, it says: "gender-specific aspects are incorporated in existing health policies. The BAG has no specific strategy for men's health."

Markus Theunert criticized the attitude of the associations. "In the case of the gender-sensitive health policy and care, Switzerland, is suspended today, international completely," says the founding President of men.ch, the umbrella Association of the Swiss men's and fathers organizations. The APA refer to traditional standards of Masculinity as "harmful to health". Willingness to take risks, to be the defence of emotion, the careless handling of the body and the Illusion of no support, should be encouraged "precisely for those factors, the diseases and avoidable deaths".

Also, Mike Mottl by the man's office Züri says: "Yes, stereotypical, clichéd masculinity has, of course, problematic pages." The best examples were in the highest Places: "Trump, Berlusconi or Bolsonaro last due to her archaic role understanding so much success, as unfortunate as that is." This is further evidence that the stereotypes are still alive and active.

"Should we really recommend it to all parents, boys traditionally to educate than men?"Marco Caimi, doctor

behavior is Problematic was "the Help," says Michael Kaess, Director of child and adolescent psychiatry at the Psychiatric University clinic of Berne. "We know very clearly, and this applies particularly to young people, that the female gender tends to be much more of a problem to others and to seek, where appropriate, professional help. While the male gender ignores things like not communicating, strength, and tried with himself." According to Kaess, a malicious behavior, especially in relation to the risk of suicide.

it was Clear that men tended increasingly to aggression. Reason is not only the education to traditionally male role, as the would suggest to the APA Guidlines. "There are also biological differences, not just the hormones. On the neuroscientific level we have not understood much yet," says Kaess. In addition, the male aggression behavior made evolutionary sometime sense.

Clear criticism of the doctor, Marco Caimi, founded in 2013, the first practice for men to consume. "The APA is Manifest in political and non-health relevant. It is a men's low-end of the feminist Manifesto." Masculinity is not always bad. "What a woman wants in a dangerous Situation, a soft flushed, gender-uniformly semi-castrated Dachshund by your side?", ask Caimi.

Unclear is the impact of the APA guidelines. This left open what to do about it, says psychiatrist Kaess: "Should we really recommend it to all parents, boys traditionally considered to be to educate men?" Guys, which one abtrainiere to fight back if you were pushed around, could possibly in the circle of colleagues in trouble. "Maybe you are being bullied." It is still unclear how much of the gender identity of the people actually need and how much of this will be in the future healthy.

(Sunday newspaper)

Created: 19.01.2019, 18:44 PM