Ginx

It is all part of the impossible to live up to 'male mystique' from which men really need liberating.

That anecdote I told about my butcher, one thing he said was that no matter how bad his sciatica got that wouldn't stop him from turning up at work. The implication being that he was 'tougher' than any illness that may come along.

Yeah, right. I guess death ain't no biggie either.

Severin, Ginx

From the link I provided earlier:

"It’s Just 'Men Behaving Badly'

When writers try to broaden the biological perspective, often what is presented is a 'gender-relations approach' — a consideration of men’s socially conditioned oppressive behaviour and specifically 'hegemonic masculinity' (the dominance of men over women). The power imbalance between men and women is sometimes used to explain men’s health, including why men die at an earlier age than women.

An example of this concern with men’s negative behaviour, as an important factor to consider in men’s health, is found in the men’s health policy of the Doctors Reform Society of Australia (DRS).

"The DRS recognises that there are particular issues for men which affect their health. These issues can arise from the process of socialisation to compete and dominate in social and political spheres which can foster violence. As a result of this, many men experience a number of psychological difficulties, a reluctance to acknowledge and address their own health issues and diffidence in approaching health services."

There is a whole body of literature which seeks to explain the poorer health of men compared with women as being a result of 'masculinity', something endogenous (within men), and their adoption of unhealthy male stereotypes, rather than taking into account exogenous (exterior) factors. This 'pathologising perspective' can turn attention away from other social and political influences on health.

Fortunately, most doctors try to see their patients in the context of their lives and, consequently, see their male patients outside the ideological framework described above. The DRS policy, however, reflects a fairly common cultural view of men and so influences policy directives and can also affect professional practice. I believe that this approach is not based on evidence, but rather on certain negative assumptions about men.

Recently, this 'blaming men' perspective has been challenged in Australia, in the context of improving health services for men. Rather than trying to 're-educate' men who are reluctant to seek help and use health services, a preferred approach would be providing health services that better meet the needs of men."

Aka,

From the experiences of male relatives, some of whom are needlessly not with us any more, I have formed the distinct impression that the most prevalent problem seems to be stereotyping by providers and medical staff - this reflects the stereotyping by society. A common enough stereotype of older men is that they are useless and have no value to society. This must affect the services they receive.

I am sure I am not the only one who has noticed that older male relatives were treated almost casually by some medical providers and hospital staff. That could be as simple as being the last ones given routine services in hospital. Staff are always in a hurry and the older men might be the ones who usually drop off the end. They are lower on the pecking order and it doesn't help if they don't complain as loudly as they might.

Whether that is because older men feel they ought not assert themselves for fear of being seen as demanding or not I don't really know, but it isn't because the men don't need or want the service, treatment and care.

The best advice that can be given to an older male in particular is to yell loud and long, especially when in hospital, or else. As well, the older men do need a close relative to observe and ensure they are OK.

You are right there Cornflower.
When working on busy hospital wards, the last ones we tend to 'notice' are the quiet patients who rarely ring their bell or call out.

We attend to their scheduled tasks of course, like everyone else. However, it is only human nature for medical staff to have to first attend to those yelling loudest and most often.

And yes, it is usually older women and younger men who complain the most. Older men are usually the most docile, except on the mental health wards.

I can't see this changing any time soon, but if older men do decide to rebel and start yelling for attention, like the others, then I am glad I am out of the hospital workplaces :)

The socialisation aspect reminded me of an advertisement currently running on TripleM for Hard Yakka, I can't find the lyrics on line but for those who have not hear it you will get the guist of it at http://clients.austereo.com.au/hardyakka/

Whilst the add is very one dimensional and not designed to be taken too seriously I suspect it works because it matches the script so well.

For many the old script mentioned at the start of the article is still the script.

"The old script for men was simple. Perform, protect, provide. That meant work hard most of your life. Protect your loved ones - that usually meant your wife and children. And provide food, clothing and shelter for them. If they could get some time off, men would play sport, go to the pub, and grab what sex they could."

R0bert

suzeonline, Cornflower,

I know what you mean about older men needing to speak out, but in my husband's case he was unable to. I was speaking out, trying to get drs and nurses to listen to my concerns, and believe me, I am not known for being meek and mild and am capable of arguing with the best of them, but this mentality that blokes are invincible got me. Mind you some nurses treated my beloved like he was a senile man in his 90's instead of a strong man in his early 60's.

It is not just old men who get this attitude from GPs, but young men also have thier health concerns brushed off by many drs. I think the medical profession needs to look at how they can do things better, so that when men go in to see them, they are taken seriously.