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By Sophie Kao
Teenage boys tend to be a target in certain areas for opioid overdose, and many reasons lie in expectations of masculinity and conformity.
“Boys don’t cry” is a popular phrase that many young male adolescents remind themselves of in the back of their minds.
Male social norms are strongly aligned with masculinity, which has affected the health of many young men. And yet, many of these teenage boys don’t even realize it. According to a study done in 2012, “Socialization of Emotional Suppression” published in the journal Psychological Bulletin, when a girl cries, adults are often more likely to provide support and comfort. On the other hand, boys who cry are often dismissed or responded with less tolerance by the adult.
The report explains this is what teaches children which emotions are “acceptable” to show. While boys are often encouraged to hide their emotions, this expectation can contribute to emotional distress and increase the likelihood of unhealthy coping mechanisms. Unexpectedly, this also poses a significant factor in opioid abuse.
Traditional masculinity expectations play a significant role in how boys learn to express their emotions. From an early age, boys are often told to “suck it up” when they experience emotions such as vulnerability and sadness.
According to the Irish Journal of Sociology, 59% of men reported being taught to act strong even when they feel afraid, while 1 in 3 boys believe that showing sadness or fear makes them feel weak. These expectations reinforce the idea that showing emotion is a sign of weakness.
In the book, Positive male identity: What is a real man anyway?, author Steve Safigan explains the traditional masculinity through the “three P’s”: men are expected to be the provider, protector, and procreator of their families. As a result, boys feel more pressured to live up to their roles, causing immense pressure on them.
These social expectations cause many boys to grow up believing that expressing their emotions goes against what it means to be masculine, which contributes to the stigma surrounding men’s health.
When emotional distress goes unaddressed, some individuals may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms. It has become increasingly common for young men to resort to using opioids or other forms of drugs in order to relieve stress or pain. Instead of processing their emotions, substances may become a method of escape. What exactly do these drugs do to young men that encourages them to continue this strategy?
According to Polysoma, despite the heroic topic “masculinity” holds, reality has proven this topic is simply a mask which many men feel forced to wear. When society equates emotional expression with weakness, drugs and alcohol become an addicting coping mechanism. As a result, the numbed pain, forced calmness, and relaxation provided by these substances become increasingly desirable for many men who find the pressure society places on them unbearable.
However it is important to note that there are better methods to cope with these emotions. Cognitive Solutions LC suggests that engaging in activities such as sports, hiking, workshops, and other social events can help individuals process emotions in environments that feel more comfortable than traditional therapy.
In addition, many public figures such as Dwayne Johnson and Terry Crews have openly discussed their own mental health struggles. By sharing their experiences, they challenge traditional stereotypes of masculinity and encourage others to recognize and express their emotions.
Positive role models can help young men understand that acknowledging their feelings is not a sign of weakness, but rather an important step toward healthier coping and overall well-being. In other words, young men who find opioid usage as a way to cope should be exposed to other methods that do not inflict harm on themselves. Therefore, the first step is to promote awareness and a supportive stigma-free environment where those who struggle to open up can seek healthier alternatives.
The connection between gender norms has had a huge impact on how teenage boys perceive how they are allowed to respond emotionally. Although this feels like a quiet issue, the underlying effects have a much larger outcome including unhealthy coping mechanisms like opioid abuse. The long history of traditional masculinity norms has led to many teenage boys being confused in how to manage emotions.
However, this doesn’t mean change is impossible. As this issue is becoming more apparent, many programs offer social activities aiming to help the younger generation of boys to recognize that it is important to acknowledge how they value masculinity while knowing the limits it has on their expression of emotion.
This article was written as part of a program to educate youth and others about Alameda County’s opioid crisis, prevention and treatment options. The program is funded by the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department and the grant is administered by Three Valleys Community Foundation.
