Tough guys don't go to the doctor
Men who embrace traditional beliefs on masculinity are 50 percent less likely than other men to go to the doctor, says a new study. And the attitudes of these "macho men" might just be what leaves them sicker than women, researchers conclude.
The study, led by a Rutgers sociologist and shared at a recent meeting of the American Sociological Association, touches on some stereotypes, for sure. But they appear to be grounded in facts, the researchers found. Based on responses from 1,000 men in the 2004 wave of the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, researchers found education made no difference in the responses. Highly-educated men with the strong masculinity beliefs were just as unlikely to obtain preventative care as men with less education.
The study has some limitations -- mainly the participants were all white, middle-aged and had at least a high school degree.
But I think the authors make a good point. And I'd argue it has nothing to do with being "macho." Most men I know, regardless of their beliefs, are afraid to go to the doctor. I understand I may be generalizing, so please feel free to call me out on it. But in a very small unscientific sample of my girlfriends and women family members, all admit to being the ones who nag their husbands and boyfriends to go to the doctor, be it for a routine checkup or for a serious issue.
Are we alone?
Apparently, I'm onto something. The American Academy of Family Physicians found in a 2007 survey that more than half of men studied had not seen a primary care doctor for a physical exam within the past year and 36 percent put off appointments until they are really sick.
And guess who they call on for advice and support? More than 78 percent of the men surveyed who had a spouse said the person has an influence over their decision to go to the doctor.
Comments
This study is accurate. I consider myself a "tough guy" that doesn't need a doctor to fight my battles for me. When I tore my ACL, I was told I would never play sports again unless I got surgery. That was 9 years ago. Today, I can still sprint faster than basically anyone despite never undergoing that surgery. I have been told to get the swine flu vaccine because I am "at risk" for the disease. However, I say bring it on - I don't need the help of any vaccine to take swine flu down. I'll do it all by myself and that's one more vaccine that can go to someone who is weak.
Posted by: Wetzel | August 26, 2009 2:11 PM
I consider myself a tough guy as well. I only go to the doctors if something is broken. I believe in evolution, and also believe that if your sick you need to let your immune system fight on its own to make it stronger and more healthier when i get older. If my immune system becomes dependant on these medicines that each year comes out that they do more harm than good than i will continue to need these drugs to stay healthy. I cut my own health insurance costs by doing this, i dont need medicine for a runny nose, or a headache. I dont take advil or tylenol or anything. Feel much healthier on a day to day basis as well.
I also feel that alot of doctors will prescribed anything and everything no matter what is wrong with you. How many times haev you walked out of a doctors office without a pill of some sort? Corruption is not just in politics its throughout corporate america in ever nitch and corner. If i can not trust them why should i use them?
Posted by: Aaron Nocar | August 27, 2009 9:26 AM
Saw this in the blog box on the front page and came here to read...
This is spot on. My mom always nagged my dad to go to the doctor, he was a tough guy who always figured if his body got itself into the mess, it could get itself out. Notice I say was, because after my mom died (cancer) and there was no one to nag him, he became ill of a massive pancreatic infection, because of which his pancreas began to necrotize and took part of his spleen and his gallbladder (I believe) with it. Of course he never mentioned he was feeling ill when we talked, and by the time I actually saw him (on Christmas Eve) and dragged him to the ER, it was too late. He died in April.
Afterwards, the doctors all said if they had seen him when he first got sick, two weeks of antibiotics most likely would've taken care of it. I just hope that more men can learn to take care of themselves so that the people they love don't have to go through what I did.
/soapbox
Posted by: SaraB | August 27, 2009 11:29 AM
SaraB: I'm so sorry about your loss. Thank you for sharing your story.
Posted by: Kelly | August 31, 2009 9:57 AM