Cultural Mythology and Men's Stress T here is a deeply ingrained myth in our culture that men are supposed to act, feel and express themselves in a certain way. Men are conditioned from early childhood not to express their feelings, to act aggressively and to never show vulnerability or fear. These unrealistic societal expectations ultimately take a significant toll, both physically and psychologically. T he pressures on contemporary men are intense, as evidenced in a recent report by the Department of Health and Human Services that highlighted the various ways that American men are dying. For example, the death rate for men front heart disease was 229.6 for every 100,000 men, as compared to a rate of only 121.7 per 100,000 among women.
Similar differentials exist for cirrhosis of the liver and deaths from violence.
T he pressures are felt significantly by men from ages 25 to 34 years. Accidents, suicides and homicides were the most frequent causes of death for both men and women in this age group. P erhaps most at risk are men between the ages of 35 and 44 years. I t seems that our culture pushes men towards death-defying behavior as a way of proving their manhood. Men push themselves to their limits mentally and physically, embracing death- defying behaviors with gusto.