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Men are vulnerable

(2006-11-15 20:04:32) 下一個

Doctors do not understand the health disparities between men and women. Statistics show that men are more likely than women to suffer an early death. Doctors admit that they do not know why men are dying at higher rates of just about every disease.

It seems that men are weaker sex. Men’s vulnerability appears to start quite early. More male fetuses are at greater risk of stillbirth and miscarriage. Even as infants, mortality is higher among newborn boys and premature baby boys. There are usually more premature baby boys in NICU than girls.

As children, boys are at higher risk for developmental disabilities and autism. Boys and men are more likely to be colorblind, suffer higher rates of hearing loss and are believed to have weaker immune systems than women. Even when men and women have the same disease, men may recover more slowly, or even more likely to die.

For instance, heart disease is always the number 1 killer for both sexes. However, men are more vulnerable than women. Heart disease occurring in women in their 30s and 40s is extremely unusual while severe heart disease in men that age is not exceptionally rare. Coronary heart disease has a devastating impact on men, particularly on men who are in the prime of life. Cancer also strikes men disproportionately: one in three women at some point in life; one in two men. This is partly due to the fact that more men than women smoke, and possibly of occupational exposures.

Men also suffer more accidental deaths, such as car accidents, and serious injuries. They are three times as likely to be victims of murder, four times as likely to commit suicide and 11 times as likely to drown as teenagers.

Both genetic and psychological factors contribute to men’s early death. Genetically, men have an X chromosome and a Y chromosome while women have two X chromosomes. This extra X is thought theoretically to combat mutations that might be lethal or detrimental. And that might be a reason why females have a more sturdy constitution. Psychologically, scientists think the problems are rooted in how boys are raised. Men have been socialized to stand on their own two feet since they are boys. They are educated to handle problems by themselves. Being a man one will not be expected to complain, to ask for help, or even to cry. They tend to be more aggressive, take more responsibilities and take more risks at the same time.

Poor men, you have to acknowledge that you are more vulnerable.

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melly 回複 悄悄話 Men and women are problematic each other while they are dependent on each other at the same time.
headautumn 回複 悄悄話 that's why women are problematic to men..the pressure or pleasure,whatever it is..hoho
melly 回複 悄悄話 Helen,

I love you sense of humor. Well,reading what I wrote again, I am laughing at myself. You see how I am good at ridiculous thinking. It is what it is. Let laugh. LOL
blhw72 回複 悄悄話 Melly, sweetheart, you and me, plus some women who are willing to offer our shoulders to men, I guess our power is limit though slightly increases some men's life time. But at least, we try, don't we? LOL

One of my ex-bf (caucasian), he likes crying a lot. One day, we had a fight, he cried loudly in front of me, shocked me. You know what, I never worry and doubt that he wouldn't have a long life. Haha!
melly 回複 悄悄話 Thanks for your coming, Mike. Are you sure this is the right reason which lead women more confident? Maybe it applies for people in this country.
melly 回複 悄悄話 Helen,

This essay is based on an article in NY times. When I read it, I did feel sorry for men. I noticed there were more preemie baby boys than baby girls when my boy was in NICU. In later life, women’s endurance is much better than men’s. I am thinking many of men’s pressure coming from women. Women can easily release our pressure and sadness by crying, complaining and asking for help from men, who are supposed to be strong physically and mentally. Women ask for equal social rights for a long time. Do you think women love to provide our shoulders to hold men? Do you think they will accept our shoulders when they want to cry, or contrarily choose to pretend to be happy? Do you think we women would like to respect a complaining man? The answer seems NO. Then what we women can do without changing genetic background, or just watch them to be vulnerable?

Am I unrealistic and stupid again?
mikeliu 回複 悄悄話 This make woman more confident, but men more sad...
blhw72 回複 悄悄話 Melly, I read that before. I do agree that it relates to men's social role. That's also the major reason that men have much higher rate of sudden death than women.

However, it doesn't make me feel luckier as a woman. Because everybody's destiny is same --death.

I always want to die before all my family members. It sounds selfish, but I admit that I don't have to be sad.
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