Clinical and population statistics show that men suffer severe chronic ailments which result in higher death rates and lower life expectancy than in women. Numerous research studies have cited health-related behaviors and attitudes as among the important factors causing the gendered differences in health wellbeing. The article constructions of masculinity and their influence on men’s well-being: a theory of gender and health by Will H. Courtenay attempts to explain the observed gendered differences in beliefs and behaviors concerning health for men and women. The author proposes a relational theory to explain men’s health behaviors and attitudes from a social constructionist and feminist theories perspective. According to Courtenay (2000), health-related beliefs and behaviors as part of social practices are used by individuals to demonstrate masculinities and femininities. The author proposes that health behaviors and attitudes influence the social structuring of gender and power, with social practices that put men’s health at risk often being used to signify masculinity and as instruments used by men in negotiating social power and status.

HOW CONSTRUCTIONS OF MASCULINITY INFLUENCE MEN’S WELL-BEING

The constructions of masculinity theory provide a relational analysis of how cultural decrees and norms shape gendered health behavior in everyday interactions. Socio-cultural factors shape gender and influence health-related behavior such that women engage more inhealth-seeking and health-promoting behaviors than men, and consequently have healthier lifestyles. Factors such asethnicity, educational level, economic status, sexual orientation, and social contextinfluence the kind of masculinity behaviors and attitudes that men will construct, which in turn contribute to the observable differential health risks affecting men than women. The prevalence of risky activities and habits such as smoking, drinking, and driving, failing to use safetybelts, failure to get regular health screenings, and lack of awareness of one’s medical condition is more among men than women.

Gender stereotypes define characteristics that aregenerally accepted to be typically masculine or feminine. For instance, beliefs that men should be independent or self-reliant, physically strongand robust, and emotionally tough influence their perception of health.  Men’s image of acquisition of power and social status mostly requiressuppression of personal needs and refusal to admit oracknowledge the pain. Men are predisposed to denying weaknesses or vulnerability, lack of physical or emotional control, and tend to dismiss any need for help. Men are also more predisposed to engage in situations requiring the display of aggressive behavior andphysical dominance. With such stereotypes, carrying out positive health behaviors for men requires them to reject some of these constructions of masculinity.

SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION THEORY IN RELATION TO INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS

The article by Courtenay (2000) affirms that the health care system and its allied health fields represent a particularly important structural influence in the construction of gender and health. Three key social institutions of the state, the workplace or labor market, and the family are relevant in the contemporary organization of gendered roles. The work by Reiker, Bird, and Lang (2010) furthersCourtenay’s perspective of gendered social roles and expectations to explain how social institutions predispose men to more health risks than women. Social structural and institutional factors serve as explanations of gender differences in health wellbeing relate to gendered social positionscreating differential access to protective financial and public resources such as education, safe housing and areas for exercise. Other social factors emphasize men’s exposure to various environmental factors and social-behavioral risk factors such as domestic violence, crime, substance abuse, and poor diet that pose health risks. The social position of each gender mediates access to social and environmental resources at the individual, household, community, and societal levels. The gender difference in circumstances may result from cumulative factors including social role-related expectations, the occupational choice for employment and advancement, education, and skills as well as access to social benefits including health insurance and retirement pensions.