Depression; isn't it odd...
I think there is something WRONG, indeed biased with the very definition of I have heard it said somewhere, read it perhaps in many wheres, that women are significantly more prone to depression than are their Male counterparts. I have also noticed many theories to which I only paid half attention as to why that is exactly. Theories about males being generally more optimistic and forgiving. Perhaps it has more to do with males historically having usually been in greater control of their own destinies or having been taught to keep their distance from their own feelings and that of others. Perhaps it comes down to a chemical difference; women are somehow intrinsically imbalanced, at least hormonally. Maybe womens reported greater tendency toward depression has something to do with women historically (as gender roles seem currently to be in a state of flux) being the primary caregiver to offspring. As any parent knows a decidedly stressful job, though not without certain rewards. (Like free slave labor... just kidding)
I have this deeply held and sacred to me (though perhaps mistaken) view that Males and Females are inherently not all that different. Certainly not as different as the Black from White comparison of which our society seems to be so fond. As I stated before, these views are certainly seem to be changing somewhat. Who knows perhaps Men and Women really are separate alien species just compatible enough to cross breed in order to perpetuate in each species own best interest. Here for the sake of argument, in order to examine this question of depression from yet another view, let us argue that "M" is in fact basically equal to "F". Let us note then that since Male and Female start out basically the same, the observation that Women are somehow inherently more prone to depression poses a problem. So if you are following me thus far you should be about where I started.
I am inclined to believe that there are nearly as many Males suffering depression as Females. This is based somewhat on personal observation, but am also influenced by various psychological articles. Personally I have observed and heard about in conversation many instances where a Male, where swear up and down he has never been depressed later be diagnosed with depression or simply put on anti-depressants without another word being said about it. Recently I have been reading articles about Sexual Abuse (cheery subject eh?) and repeatedly mentioned was a problem with identifying and treating Male victims of Sexual Abuse. The statistical numbers of reported Male victims had been much lower than females. In known cases of Males having been abused, they were often held responsible for the encounter or held themselves responsible, even considering themselves to have "gotten lucky" at an early age in cases where heterosexual Males were abused by older females. It also seems that these Males are more comfortable thinking of themselves as Sex Addicts than of thinking of themselves as Victims of Sexual Abuse. This phenomenon has been explained by differences in gender roles: Males being viewed as Active, Perpetrators, and generally in control, Women on the other hand as Passive and therefore more comfortably accepting the role of having been a Victim.
In the case of Depression, another area where purely statistical evidence has pointed to Women being much more prone, I feel that these observations about gender roles may also apply. This has lead me to note that Depression in Males may be masked by Drug and Alcohol abuse, Anger-Management issues, Spousal Abuse, Sex Addiction, or merely being Emotionally distant and apparently Withdrawn. All of these behaviors society more readily attributes to, observes in and in some cases even accepts as part of being Male. Additionally it would seem that these behavior are much less observed or tolerated in the Female counterpart.
Consider then the definitions of Depression (as obtained from Dictionary.com). "A mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity." "Sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy." "a psycho neurotic or psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty with thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal thoughts or an attempt to commit suicide." Hopelessness, Helplessness, Depression then by definition seems to be a passive and thus a more Feminine state of being. Women are generally taught to be more in touch with their feelings and therefore better able to recognise the state of Depression in themselves. They also seem to be taught to have a certain level of openness and to ask for help with problems. Men on the other hand are generally taught to ignore their feelings, especially uncomfortable feelings and to figure things out for themselves. This would put them at a decided disadvantage dealing with feelings of depression. Viewed in this light it also may account for much of the Statistical advantage that Women hold falling victim to depression.
These differences I have noted are unfortunate for both genders. If indeed my suppositions above hold any merit, I must still point out that it can only be a single facet in the greater problem. Perhaps there are two problems here. One being Depression, and the idea that Women are predisposed to it, and the other being the great cultural rift between Men and Women as a whole. A rift that threatens friendships and partnerships alike and may cripple the ability to work together, to problem-solve, and to generally regard one another with the respect each undoubtedly deserves.
I have this deeply held and sacred to me (though perhaps mistaken) view that Males and Females are inherently not all that different. Certainly not as different as the Black from White comparison of which our society seems to be so fond. As I stated before, these views are certainly seem to be changing somewhat. Who knows perhaps Men and Women really are separate alien species just compatible enough to cross breed in order to perpetuate in each species own best interest. Here for the sake of argument, in order to examine this question of depression from yet another view, let us argue that "M" is in fact basically equal to "F". Let us note then that since Male and Female start out basically the same, the observation that Women are somehow inherently more prone to depression poses a problem. So if you are following me thus far you should be about where I started.
I am inclined to believe that there are nearly as many Males suffering depression as Females. This is based somewhat on personal observation, but am also influenced by various psychological articles. Personally I have observed and heard about in conversation many instances where a Male, where swear up and down he has never been depressed later be diagnosed with depression or simply put on anti-depressants without another word being said about it. Recently I have been reading articles about Sexual Abuse (cheery subject eh?) and repeatedly mentioned was a problem with identifying and treating Male victims of Sexual Abuse. The statistical numbers of reported Male victims had been much lower than females. In known cases of Males having been abused, they were often held responsible for the encounter or held themselves responsible, even considering themselves to have "gotten lucky" at an early age in cases where heterosexual Males were abused by older females. It also seems that these Males are more comfortable thinking of themselves as Sex Addicts than of thinking of themselves as Victims of Sexual Abuse. This phenomenon has been explained by differences in gender roles: Males being viewed as Active, Perpetrators, and generally in control, Women on the other hand as Passive and therefore more comfortably accepting the role of having been a Victim.
In the case of Depression, another area where purely statistical evidence has pointed to Women being much more prone, I feel that these observations about gender roles may also apply. This has lead me to note that Depression in Males may be masked by Drug and Alcohol abuse, Anger-Management issues, Spousal Abuse, Sex Addiction, or merely being Emotionally distant and apparently Withdrawn. All of these behaviors society more readily attributes to, observes in and in some cases even accepts as part of being Male. Additionally it would seem that these behavior are much less observed or tolerated in the Female counterpart.
Consider then the definitions of Depression (as obtained from Dictionary.com). "A mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity." "Sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy." "a psycho neurotic or psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty with thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal thoughts or an attempt to commit suicide." Hopelessness, Helplessness, Depression then by definition seems to be a passive and thus a more Feminine state of being. Women are generally taught to be more in touch with their feelings and therefore better able to recognise the state of Depression in themselves. They also seem to be taught to have a certain level of openness and to ask for help with problems. Men on the other hand are generally taught to ignore their feelings, especially uncomfortable feelings and to figure things out for themselves. This would put them at a decided disadvantage dealing with feelings of depression. Viewed in this light it also may account for much of the Statistical advantage that Women hold falling victim to depression.
These differences I have noted are unfortunate for both genders. If indeed my suppositions above hold any merit, I must still point out that it can only be a single facet in the greater problem. Perhaps there are two problems here. One being Depression, and the idea that Women are predisposed to it, and the other being the great cultural rift between Men and Women as a whole. A rift that threatens friendships and partnerships alike and may cripple the ability to work together, to problem-solve, and to generally regard one another with the respect each undoubtedly deserves.