UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS
  • HOME
  • EMDR THERAPY
  • MEN'S THERAPY
  • AFFIRMATIVE LGBTQ THERAPY
  • Audio therapy
  • CONTACT YOUR THERAPIST
  • ABOUT
  • FEES & INSURANCE
  • BLOG
Picture
Book an Appointment
LEARN MORE

The harm associated with the Male Label

2/11/2020

 
The Male Label is associated with an increased risk of harm.  This includes higher rates of - 
  • Suicide (4 times more likely*)
  • Trauma (61% have experienced at least one trauma***)
  • Violence (90% of violent crimes are committed by the Male Labelled)**** 
  • Substance abuse (the death rate for alcohol-induced death is 3.5 times higher**)
  • Incarceration (93% of the prison population are Male Labelled*)

The reasons for this are complex, but one clear issue is the way we as a society condition people who have been given the Male Label (referred to here as 'the Male Labelled').

We expect the Male Labelled to remain - 
  • Silent about emotional distress,
  • Independent,
  • Strong, and 
  • Direct attention outward to external gain, rather than inwards to one's emotions, or to connection and relationship with others

Some healthcare professionals pathologize the Male Labebelled, perpetuating the myth that- 
  • The Male Labelled are naturally aggressive and angry
  • The Male Labelled do not experience depression.
As a result, some healthcare professionals fail to spot the symptoms of depression, and instead look to externalizing disorders such as conduct disorder and substance use disorders (APA 2018*).  These are examples of Gender Bias.

When Gender Bias is communicated in the form of the above-mentioned myths, the Male Labelled can end up failing to engage with the help they need (for example, if they view healthcare professionals such as therapists as only available for the Female Labelled).  Even worse, the Male Labelled might engage with healthcare professionals but still end up without adequate help because of the Gender Bias perpetuated by our society.   

One stark example of Gender Bias was demonstrated by research carried out by Sandra and John Condry.  They showed one set of participants a recording of a baby in distress, and they labelled the baby 'Male'.  This group of participants interpreted the baby's distress as anger and frustration.  The Condrys then showed the same recording of the same baby to a different group, labelling the baby 'Female'.  This group interpreted the baby's distress as sadness and fear.  Consider how differently society responds to perceived anger compared with perceived sadness and fear.

The likelihood of getting adequate help reduces considerably when the Male Label intersects with other aspects of a person's identity.  For example, if we consider a person's sexuality, true gender identity or ethnicity, we see that the lack of adequate help is further complicated by incidents of 
  • Transphobia
  • Homophobia or Biphobia, and 
  • Racism

To label someone is a societal convenience, it does not always reflect reality.  We need to look beyond a person's labels and see their whole.

Chris Warren-Dickins LLB MA LPC
Psychotherapist
Book a free initial assessment online today
www.exploretransform.com

Book online today
References
*Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Boys and Men, American Psychological Association, 2018
**DHHS, 1993
***SAMHSA
****
United States Department of Justice, 2011

Comments are closed.

    Therapy Blog


    Book online
    LEARN MORE

    Picture
    Subscribe in a reader

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    October 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015

Chris Warren-Dickins LLB MA LPC
​Psychotherapist (Licensed Professional Counselor)
and author of various mental health books 
​(survival guides for depression, anxiety, and trauma).

Book an Appointment

Please note - We are not accepting new clients at this time

LEARN MORE
Due to the COVID-19 health crisis, we are only offering sessions online. 
​
Our address is 143 E Ridgewood Ave, #1484, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
​(prior address - 162 E Ridgewood Ave, #4B, Ridgewood, NJ 07450)

Telephone: +1-201-779-6917

Providing inclusive counseling and psychotherapy for the whole of New Jersey and Maine
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

© COPYRIGHT 2023 CHRIS WARREN-DICKINS.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NJ LICENCE # 37PC00618700. ME LICENCE # MF6904
  • HOME
  • EMDR THERAPY
  • MEN'S THERAPY
  • AFFIRMATIVE LGBTQ THERAPY
  • Audio therapy
  • CONTACT YOUR THERAPIST
  • ABOUT
  • FEES & INSURANCE
  • BLOG