New Report Finds That Masculinities Affect Men’s and Boys’ Ability to Cope with Trauma

Apart from what it means in their own lives, men’s exposure to violence, trauma and adversity are key risk factors for men’s self-inflicted harm and their use of violence against others. Equimundo’s new report, Estableciendo conexiones: Masculinidades y traumas masculinos, destaca el papel que desempeñan las masculinidades en la capacidad de niños y hombres para afrontar su impacto. El informe también detalla los efectos que las normas masculinas rígidas tienen en los sistemas de apoyo informales y formales para la salud mental y el bienestar de niños y hombres, con implicaciones para las mujeres, las niñas y todos nosotros. A través de su Estableciendo las conexiones La serie Equimundo examina cómo las normas de género, las dinámicas de poder y las actitudes en torno a la masculinidad influyen en niños y hombres, con implicaciones para el bienestar general. Esta última entrega de la serie analiza los componentes de género del trauma en la vida de hombres y niños.

The report discusses three common types of adversities that can cause the trauma for boys and men: (1) assault and abuse; (2) war and other violence in public spaces; and (3) racism, ethnic discrimination, and oppression. Although not an exhaustive list, these examples highlight the ubiquity of trauma in the lives of boys and men across the life course and across diverse cultural and geographic settings. For each of the categories, the authors take a deep dive into the connections between masculine norms at an individual behavior level, as well as at a societal level.

Idealized notions of heroism, physical strength, emotional stoicism, and superiority over others are integral to how men and boys see themselves in times of adversity. These social scripts create vulnerabilities to resilience in dealing with negative emotions and challenges.

The general population is familiar with the term, ‘toxic masculinity,’ which is not a scientific term but a shorthand insult for dysfunctional male behavior. However, they are unfamiliar with the reasons for such behavior. If as a society we are sage and courageous enough to look ‘under the hood’ of dysfunctional masculine behaviors, we will see that they are fed by the traumas of abuse, neglect, institutional racism, and norms and structures that are outdated and dangerous.

— Dr. Warren Spielberg, Co-author

This issue is even more urgent as we look at various areas of the world currently facing conflict, including Yemen, Ethiopia, and Ukraine, all places where we see unaddressed trauma that requires urgent attention.

The collective trauma and grief boys and men experience exacerbates their use of violence and is a major driver of war and conflict worldwide. We must address male trauma as a multidisciplinary issue that involves [mental] health of individual boys and men, families, communities.

—Henny Slegh, Co-author

Individual men’s and boys’ experiences of trauma are not excuses for any individual’s subsequent use of violence. Rather, understanding trauma as a root of men’s violence highlights the urgent need for action grounded in a nuanced understanding of how to prevent the re-transmission of violence. The report outlines recommendations for a variety of relevant stakeholders – researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and public health organizations – on how to better equip boys and men with the tools and resources to adequately cope with adversity and trauma in nonviolent ways. This means putting in place mental health support structures and policies that are gendered to fit the diverse needs of boys and men.
In sum, we must continue to challenge antiquated models of hegemonic masculinity and allow boys and men to live safe, protected, and prosperous lives. Ultimately, recognizing expressions of traumatic experiences by men and boys – alongside people of other gender identities – is crucial for health, peace, and equality for all. To learn more about the connections between masculinities and male trauma, and what actions are necessary to address this issue, read the full report aquí.