Does being 'manly' make you healthier and happier? The top 5 reasons the answer is … nope
If you spend any time online these days, you've likely been exposed to the "manosphere" — a digital cultural phenomenon that's dedicated to a variety of men's issues, from extreme fitness and health advice, to men's rights activism, to personal optimization and social dynamics.
Social media is filled with people who promise that being more "manly" (which, in general, means leaning into traditional masculine norms) will make you happier, more successful and healthier.
Throughout my career, I've journeyed around the world seeking to understand, engage with and counter harmful myths and misinformation. In the documentary Harder Better Faster Stronger, I meet with athletes, artists, men's groups, scientific experts and more to investigate the controversial, bizarre and contested claims made within the manosphere (see the video below for some examples).
Male wellness influencers — who are all, ultimately, trying to sell you something — want you to believe that being "manlier" equals being healthier.
From what I've seen, here are the top five reasons why that isn't true.
Diabetes, heart disease and cancer
OK, it probably isn't fair to lump these biggies into one category. But the embrace of traditional masculine norms has been linked to the avoidance of basic preventative activities that lower the risk for all these diseases.
For example, studies suggest that individuals who are drawn to manly-man archetypes are less likely to follow public health recommendations — such as wearing sunscreen or taking part in evidence-informed cancer screening — and more likely to engage in risky and unhealthy behaviours, like smoking, not limiting their red and processed meat intake, and drinking to intoxication.
To cite just one example, a recent study published in the Journal of Men's Health found that men may avoid healthy eating habits — a known risk for a host of diseases — "because of manhood concerns."
Mental health challenges
Another big category. But the research is consistent: in 2019, the American Psychological Association officially labelled "traditional masculinity" as "harmful."
Studies have found, for example, that conformity to masculine norms is associated with increased risk for depression, body image issues and negative mental health generally.
Importantly, the stoicism and tough-guy mentality often pushed by masculine influencers is also associated with less utilization of mental health services. This creates a worst-case scenario: increased mental health challenges combined with less help-seeking.
Poorer (and less healthy) romantic relationships
A healthy and positive sex life can contribute significantly to well-being. But despite the promise of many manosphere influencers that being more masculine — that is, being an "alpha" — will heighten your sexual and romantic relationships with women, we see, once again, the evidence points in the opposite direction.
Adherence to traditional masculine norms has been associated with poorer-quality sex, decreased relationship satisfaction and increased sexism (which likely isn't good for heterosexual relationships).
Studies have also found that traditional masculine norms are linked to erectile dysfunction (ED). Researchers speculate that the pressure to be "masculine" results in higher anxiety to perform sexually and, as a result, elevated risk of developing ED.
Hypermasculinity (and the pressure to be more masculine) has also been associated with unsafe sex practices (increasing the risk of sexually transmitted infections), nonconsensual sexual advances, less prosocial behaviour and intimate partner violence.
Loneliness
In 2023, the World Health Organization declared loneliness a "global public health concern." This is because there is a growing body of evidence that suggests social isolation can have a profound impact on both our physical and mental health.
Studies have found that certain masculine norms (such as toughness, competitiveness, emotional stoicism and homophobia) can, as one study published in the journal Psychology of Men & Masculinities summarized, "make it challenging for boys and men to form close friendships."
Less sleep
Apparently, at least according to the manosphere, sleep is for the weak. Sleep is for the unsuccessful and lazy. Sleep is not masculine. Real men don't sleep!
This is, of course, absolutely absurd. Sufficient sleep is important for everything from cardiovascular health to good mental well-being. It may even reduce our risk of developing dementia. But research has found that traditional masculine norms are associated with less sleep. As reported in the Harvard Business Review, noted by Harvard Medical School sleep expert Dr. Charles Czeisler believes "sleepless machismo is worse than nonsensical; it is downright dangerous."
Much of the research on the relationship between masculinity and health and well-being is only observational in nature. We need to be careful not to overinterpret the evidence, and a host of complex variables need to be considered, including culture, history and socioeconomics. Still, the large and growing body of evidence paints a pretty dark picture.
So, not only do we need to push back against the harmful lies peddled by manosphere influencers, but we also need to explore ways to constructively and empathetically examine how masculine norms are adversely impacting individual and community health.
About Timothy Caulfield
Timothy Caulfield is a professor at the University of Alberta, author and host of the documentary Harder Better Faster Stronger, a documentary that explores the nature and impact of the "manosphere." Watch it now on CBC Gem.
