The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has unveiled striking disparities in infection and mortality rates, with one notable trend being the higher susceptibility of men to severe outcomes. As men account for a disproportionate number of COVID-19-related deaths in the United States, understanding the underlying factors contributing to this gender-based disparity becomes imperative. While initial investigations predominantly focused on biological differences between the sexes, emerging evidence suggests that societal constructs of masculinity play a pivotal role in shaping men's responses to health recommendations and, consequently, their vulnerability to COVID-19.
This paper delves into the intricate relationship between masculinity and the elevated rates of COVID-19 infections and deaths among men. By drawing on insights from psychological studies, the analysis goes beyond the confines of biological explanations, highlighting how traditional male behaviors, such as risk-taking, independence, and resistance to authority, may contribute to men's lower adherence to health recommendations.
The title, "The Will to Die: Men, Masculinity & COVID-19," encapsulates the essence of this exploration, hinting at the complex interplay between traditional masculinity norms and the heightened susceptibility of men to the severe consequences of the pandemic. From risk-taking behaviors to a distrust of scientific expertise and lower levels of Agreeableness, each aspect will be dissected to provide a comprehensive understanding of why men, adhering to traditional masculine norms, may be more resistant to following crucial COVID-19 health guidelines.
This research aims not only to unravel the specific behavioral patterns linked to masculinity but also to shed light on the broader societal implications of how deeply ingrained norms of masculinity can impact public health outcomes during a global crisis.
Table of Contents
1. The Will to Die: Men, Masculinity & COVID-19
2. Risk-taking Behaviour
3. Belief in Science
4. Agreeableness
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this paper is to examine the psychosociological factors, specifically the role of traditional masculinity, that contribute to higher COVID-19 infection and mortality rates among men. The central research question explores why biological factors alone are insufficient to explain these health disparities and how adherence to masculine norms impacts compliance with scientific health recommendations.
- The influence of traditional masculinity on health-related risk-taking behaviour.
- The relationship between masculine norms and trust in scientific expertise.
- The impact of socioeconomic class intersections on health-related decision-making.
- The role of Agreeableness as a personality trait in government trust and compliance.
Excerpt from the Book
Risk-taking Behaviour
The male norm of being risk-taking drives men to act against COVID-19 health recommendations. From an evolutionary perspective, the behaviour of both sexes is due to reproductive strategies aimed at maximizing their overall fitness (Buss, 1995). Because women have greater parental investment than men, since women carry the child for nine months and want to ensure the child's survival, and this work is mostly done by women, women tend to be more selective in their choice of mates (Buss, 1995). While women have a larger pool of men to choose from, men face greater intrasexual competition for fertile women (Fetchenhauer & Lang, 2018). One consequence of men’s intrasexual competition is that reproductive success varies more among men (Fetchenhauer & Lang, 2018). Consequently, males tend to acquire traits that are advantageous for success in the sexual market such as being ambitious, competitive, assertive, and most important for this context, more willing to take risks (McDermott et al., 2007). There are different domains in which men behave more risk-takingly than women, including gambling, recreation, and, most importantly, health (Harris & Jenkins, 2006).
Summary of Chapters
The Will to Die: Men, Masculinity & COVID-19: Introduces the gender gap in COVID-19 mortality and argues that traditional masculinity is a critical, under-researched variable beyond biological explanations.
Risk-taking Behaviour: Analyzes how evolutionary pressures and masculine norms encourage risky behaviors that directly counteract public health guidelines.
Belief in Science: Examines how the desire to remain independent and the rejection of authority figures lead men to distrust scientific expertise and COVID-19 health recommendations.
Agreeableness: Discusses how men's lower average levels of Agreeableness compared to women correlate with decreased trust in government and lower compliance with pandemic-related mandates.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the evidence, reiterating that traditional masculinity acts as a harmful factor that increases vulnerability to health crises.
Keywords
COVID-19, Masculinity, Agreeableness, Trust, Men’s health, Risk-taking, Pandemic, Biological factors, Evolutionary psychology, Health behaviour, Social norms, Gender differences, Compliance, Scientific expertise, Mortality rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper investigates the reasons behind the disproportionately high COVID-19 infection and death rates among men, moving beyond biological explanations to social and psychological factors.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The study focuses on the intersection of traditional masculinity, risk-taking behavior, trust in political and scientific institutions, and personality traits like Agreeableness.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to demonstrate that conforming to traditional masculine norms negatively influences men's health behaviors and their willingness to adhere to medical recommendations during a pandemic.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author employs a integrative literature review approach, utilizing psychological and evolutionary perspectives to synthesize existing empirical data regarding gender, health behaviors, and public trust.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The body chapters detail how specific masculine-coded traits, such as need for control, independence, and risk-taking, directly impede the adoption of protective health measures like masking and vaccination.
What are the defining keywords of this paper?
Key terms include COVID-19, masculinity, Agreeableness, trust, men's health, and risk-taking behavior.
How does the author connect evolutionary psychology to COVID-19 compliance?
The author argues that reproductive strategies, which favor risk-taking in men to succeed in competitive "sexual markets," have evolved into modern behavioral patterns that manifest as a disregard for health risks.
Why does the author claim that "masculinity is more harmful than protective"?
The findings suggest that the social pressure to perform masculinity—by appearing invulnerable and independent—prevents men from acknowledging and adjusting to real-world health threats like a pandemic.
How does the concept of "class" affect the relationship between masculinity and health?
The paper highlights that among working-class men, rejecting expert advice can serve as a political or social act of rebellion, often fueled by anti-elitist rhetoric, to compensate for economic vulnerability.
- Citar trabajo
- Anna Semucyowera (Autor), 2023, The Will to Die. Men, Masculinity and COVID, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1437586
