Applied Social Science In Social Care: Article Analysis

Words: 1332
Pages: 6

Course Title: Applied Social Science in Social Care.
Module Title: Theories and Concepts in Social Care.
Assessment Title: Student Led Critical reflection.
Lecturer: Carol Mc Gowan.
Date of Submission: 12th December 2014.

By
Nicole Hogan
(D00148301)

For the purpose of this assignment this paper will discuss the findings of the Mensana Article based upon men’s mental health. This paper must reflect upon both the reading itself, the writers opinion of the article, the topics mentioned in regards to the student led discussion and also one other piece of relevant literature to either critique or agree with the article itself.

It is in my opinion that this article for men’s health was created and wrote in order to raise awareness for
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Men’s health relates and stems solely from socially constructed gender and upbringing in my opinion. The literature speaks of how the social construction of gender is quite evident in relation to the socialisation of the male, for example how both boys and young men in some households are brought up to believe that they must be both tough and strong and to always behave as if they are indestructible, this is evident when some parents discourage small boys from crying at an early age. Subsequently this leads to not only men supressing feelings but failing to recognise their own bodily symptoms of both mental and physical illness, this leaves the male race in such a vulnerable state in which they feel they must conceal. I believe that the above is the reasoning behind why two times as many men than women commit suicide, two times women as men are diagnosed with both mental and or physical illness and lastly why men aged between fifteen to twenty four are at such a higher risk of suicide. This socially constructed gender has destroyed many lives and has led to many men’s lack of use of the available health services, but it is in my opinion that this is our fault. Each and everyone’s fault, as each human being be it conscious or subconsciously abides by this …show more content…
These facts and figures really enlightened me into how hard it must be for men to open up and be truthful to themselves never mind to anyone else whilst living in a society such as ours. I think it is fantastic how these readings and others are created and all the efforts that are being put towards creating a better space for men to feel comfortable and recognise their mental and physical health issues. I myself have read a lot of literature from mental health Ireland, in relation to the men’s mental health forum it agrees with a lot of the points made in this article, in fact I think most people and literature would be congruent in regards to how we can help with men’s mental health. A quote I once read stated how "A men's health issue is a disease or condition unique to men, more prevalent in men, more serious among men, for which risk factors are different for men, or for which