It's Movember and people are growing their mustaches to draw attention to the male health crisis. Men are not necessarily 'the stronger sex'.
“Our fathers, partners, brothers and friends are in a health crisis that is little talked about. Men die too young. We must break the silence," the Movember movement said. As a charitable organization, Movember supports men's health projects, particularly around mental health and suicide prevention, and prostate and testicular cancer. Every November, Movember calls for donations to be collected, for example by growing a mustache. The idea that men are by definition the 'stronger sex' is outdated.
According to Movember, men die on average five years earlier than women for preventable reasons. American research shows that this is indeed the case, and this is partly due to the idea that men 'must be strong' and therefore often ask for medical help late. Also, many more men commit suicide than women.
The idea that men are 'the stronger sex' can be nuanced. Risky behavior plays an important role in the earlier deaths of men. They should drink and smoke more, have physically more demanding professions, and suffer the pressure of being 'a real man', with all the consequences that entails. But that's not the whole story. In 2020 it was scientifically researched that not only behavior, but also sex chromosomes determine that men die earlier. Men usually have an X and a Y chromosome in the body cells and women two X chromosomes. That extra X chromosome was long thought to add nothing to female health, but it does. For example, it would provide a stronger immune system.
If it's not possible to grow a mustache, there are other ways to get attention. By organizing a (digital) event, setting up a Facebook fundraiser or taking on a physical challenge, for example. Movember proposes to walk 60 kilometers for the 60 men who die of suicide every minute. If you think 60 kilometers is a bit too much, you can find more ideas and tips on how to go about it on Movember.com.
Text:Emma Verweij / Image:GettyImages
