Are+You+Normal?

Harrison Baxter **Student Number**: 08881944 **Tutor**: Judith Meiklejohn Social Identities, Physiologies and Human Health: How does __**gender**__ affect morbidity and mortality?

Are You Normal?

The artefact I have cho sen is an image I found circling around social networking sites. The image shows a little girl sitting with her mum as she asks, “Mom what is… Normal?” The mother simply replies “Its just a setting on the dryer honey.” This began to make me think, what does it mean to be “normal”? What expectations do we have of people based on what is “normal”? Who decides what “normal” is? What are the “normal” behaviors for different genders? What is “normal” to expect from yourself? These are questions teenagers commonly wonder and if they feel they deviate from what everyone else is doing they will hesitate when asking these.

**PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE CENTRAL TO ANALYSIS** The public health issue being addressed is socially constructed gender roles, which in daily lives can create various health problems for people who vary from the traditional socially constructed roles of a male or female or even for those who strongly fit in with stereotypes. This issue is highlighted when we look at the socially constructed lifestyle of a masculine male which entitles a range of lifestyle risks that can negatively contribute significantly to the health of any male. The birth ratio of boys to girls is 106:100, however by the age of 65, females outnumber males by 25% and by the age of 85, there are double the amount of females than males (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006). This may be attributed to the health lifestyle behaviours associated with the male gender. The first step to eliminating these gender roles and stereotypes is by changing what is “normal” to accommodate for a variety of people.

**LITERATURE REVIEW** Australian males have a lower life expectancy of 79.7 years in comparison to 84.2 years for females (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2011 - A). Among the top 10 leading causes of death for males in Australia include ischaemic heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases and chronic lower respiratory disease, which are ranked 1st, 3rd and 4th respectively (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2011 - B). All of these diseases may be associated with poor health behaviors and lifestyle risk factors especially ischaemic heart diseases which on the list of leading causes of death, kills more than double the amount of the disease ranked 2nd and over 50% of deaths from ischaemic heart diseases occur within the male gender. Along with these diseases, diabetes is ranked 9th and type 2 or adult onset diabetes is often a result of poor health and lifestyle risk factors or behaviors. The socially constructed gender of an Australian male is often portrayed to engage in poor health behaviors which may include smoking, drinking large amounts of alcohol, not engaging in sufficient physical activity and the consumption of fatty, unhealthy foods rather than fruit and vegetables.

The Annual Report 2011-2012 written by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare provides a snapshot of men’s health in Australia. The statistics outline a variety of factors about men’s health in Australia. Firstly, only 12% of Australian males are 65 or older, proving that dying young is an issue that must be addressed. An astounding 68% of all drug and alcohol related treatment services are for males however the most shocking facts are those that relate to lifestyle risk factors. 68% of men classify as overweight or obese, 18% smoke on a daily basis, 58% do not meet physical activity guidelines to obtain health benefits and 95% do not consume sufficient daily amounts of fruit and vegetables (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2012). The question must be asked, if we change what is perceived as ‘normal’ and change the socially constructed role of this gender, would we see an improvement in health outcomes?

Better Health Channel, an online page run by the Victorian government is an online resource providing facts about Australia’s health and a variety of information about treatments, prevention methods, healthy living styles, support services and many more health related aspects. On their “Men’s Health” page, they propose what is called the ‘Macho Men theory’. The theory explains that in societies like Australia, men are significantly less likely to take an active role in maintaining their health in comparison to women and are also less likely to seek professional help when problems occur. This is said to be because the social definition of masculinity includes strength and silence and seeking help may be a sign of weakness (Better Health Channel, 2012).There is also a self-perceived sense of invincibleness, which may explain drug or alcohol binges. Some researchers say that blaming the culturally constructed masculine male is just an excuse and that ill health may be based around the social environment associated with males. Either way, what is perceived as masculine must be altered to improve health behaviors.

Researchers and theorists over the past 10 years have all agreed on one thing, men’s health needs to receive more sufficient and specific attention. It seems that Australian men in nearly all circumstances are at a disadvantage in regards to health. Research towards men’s health in Australia has generally focused on attention to settings and social marketing approaches which have more often than not been based around social constructions of masculinity. As a result of this, traditional gender roles may be evident and may reinforce negative health behaviors (Smith, 2007).By seeking an alternative pathway and generating health promotion work around multiple masculinities rather than one dominant form, Australia can develop interventions targeted at different groups of men including those that are marginalized and disadvantaged.

The importance of adopting alternate viewpoints that are less socially dominant is vital for the improvement of men's health in Australia. It is necessary to develop health promotion activities that draw men away from the constraints of adopting traditional gender identities (Smith, 2007). Stereotypical masculine traits are important to men’s health at an individual and population level, which is evident in poor health behaviors and ignorance towards their own health. Although this is the case, some researchers believe that it may not all be blamed on socially constructed masculine roles and attitudes. Contrary to common beliefs, some researchers believe that men do try to be healthy and see doctors. These researchers believe that men may be more willing to utilize health care services if the aids available addressed specific needs such as the needs of homosexuals, veterans or men in difficult stages of their life (Gregory, Lowy & Zwar, 2006). This raises the argument that men’s health requires more attention and analysis and must be altered to include a variety of viewpoints in regards to what is masculine.

The National Male Health Policy (2008) aims to improve health outcomes for all Australian males by promoting gender sensitivity in regards to disease prevention and management, health education, health promotion and health services, however without acknowledging the values, beliefs and attitudes associated with men’s gender identity including the dominant image of masculinity, it is difficult to ensure that the policy is reaching its full potential (Saunders & Peerson, 2009). The development of the nation’s first men’s health policy raises concerns that the policy excludes hegemonic masculinity and other forms of masculinity despite their evidential impact on men’s health related values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors.

The process of gender analysis involves identifying, analyzing and informing action to address various inequalities between males and females that come as a result of their socially constructed roles and behaviors. The national policy should be a means to encourage gender analysis across Australia however to achieve this, the nation must recognize the influence of various forms of masculinity and the effect it has on health. This task is vital in developing a significant and widespread national health policy.

Evidently we can raise the argument that socially constructed roles and behaviors of genders can influence significantly on men’s health at an individual and population level. There is enough evidence to suggest that there is a health problem that must be addressed through more specific, critically analysed research.

**CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ANALYSIS** The social theory of cisnormativity creates an expectation that everyone identifies with the sex or gender they were designated at birth as this is the ‘normal’ sex, or for gender identity, fitting in the with ‘normal’ socially constructed roles and believing that all other gender types or identities are illegitimate (Newbury, 2011).Cisnormative assumptions are so common that they are often not easily recognizable. This theory creates such social activities as child caring, policies and practices of individuals and more importantly, the organisation of the broader social world including health care. Cisnormativity disallows the possibility of trans-existence and thus can create somewhat of a social emergency. It is unlikely that trans people would be hired within the health care system and when one requires treatment, it is too often unanticipated as both staff and systems are unprepared for what is now reality. Evidently society and culture play a crucial role in this public health issue. If more definitions of gender and more specifically what is ‘masculine’ is incorporated into health care systems, we can expect improved equality as a nation and better health outcomes.

Our entire society influences the way gender is interpreted and thus impacts on the health issue. With this being said, everyone is affected in some way by cultural gender identities and are therefore affected by the issue. The way that gender is perceived across Australia has a major impact on health. If we change what is perceived as ‘normal’ for Australian males, we could see a reduction in various poor health behaviors. Along with this, altering societies ideologies to include transgenders into what we see as ‘normal’ would reduce the amount of ill health, especially mentally, amongst transgender people.

Masculine males often partake in a variety of risky health behaviors. 3 of the top 5 leading causes of death for males in Australia can be heavily attributed to lifestyle factors associated with a masculine image (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2011 - B). Although a majority of transgender people live healthy lives, they are not included enough in health care systems and suffer far more predominantly from mental health issues often as a result of discrimination (National LGBTI Health Alliance, 2012).In 2007, an Australian and New Zealand study concluded that 36.2% of transgender people were experiencing a current major depressive episode, 87.4% had experienced discrimination relating to their gender and 64.4% had modified their activities due to fear of discrimination (Couch et al., 2008).

Raising awareness about how gender influences health is the first step towards culturally changing our perceptions on gender identities and ultimately improving health outcomes. It is important to discuss because many of the leading causes of death for males in Australia can be lessened to an extent if what is viewed as masculine is altered to exclude poor health behaviors. It is also important to make health care services more appealing for males, assisting them with seeking care when they need it rather than doing the ‘masculine’ thing to do and try and shrug it off. Not everyone is affected equally by this issue, as those stereotypical masculine males and transgender people are affected more prevalently from gender inequalities in health as a result of socially constructed roles and identities. Public health experts should direct their focus towards raising awareness on these gender identities and how important they are to health. By educating the nation and hopefully creating more diverse ways of accepting gender, many preventable deaths will be avoided and the gap can be lessened between gender health outcomes.

**ANALYSIS OF THE ARTEFACT AND LEARNING REFLECTIONS** The artefact I have chosen to me personally represents how kids today should be brought up. They should be taught that there is no one standard definition of what is ‘normal’ and that everyone should have the right to be who they want to be without being discriminated against or disadvantaged in many regards. It is a good case in point for the issue of gender identities in relation to health, as those who do not fit into what is socially considered ‘normal’ often experience poorer health outcomes or even those who rely too much on what is socially normal can partake in risky health behaviors.

As a result of this assessment piece, I have learnt that how we perceive gender roles and identities in a social environment is a lot more important to our health than what many people realise. By changing what is viewed as socially normal, we can drastically improve overall national health. Males will feel less pressured to be involved in poor health behaviors such as binge drinking, smoking and eating fatty foods. This topic will definitely change my future learning and thinking process. I already thought that this was a serious issue, however after looking at statistics and discovering disparities in gender health, this is something that needs to be looked into by public health professionals to raise awareness and create more appealing health care services for those who experience health disadvantages as a result of their gender.

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2006). Population by Age and Sex, Australia. Retrieved October 24, 2013, from [] - Cat No. 3235.0.55.001
 * REFERENCE LIST **

A - Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2011). Deaths, Australia. Retrieved October 27, 2013, from [] - Cat No. 3302

B - Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2011). Causes of Death, Australia. Retrieved October 27, 2013, from [] - Cat No. 3303

Australian Government - Department of Health. (2008). National Male Health Policy. Retrieved October 28, 2013, from []

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2012). Annual Report 2011-2012. Retrieved October 28, 2013, from []

Better Health Channel. (2012). Men's Health. Retrieved October 28, 2013, from []

Couch, M., Pitts, M., Mulcare, H., Croy, S., Mitchell, A., & Patel, S. (2008). TranZnation. Retrieved October 30, 2013, from: []

Gregory, A.T., Lowy, M.P., Zwar, N.A. (2006). Men’s Health and Wellbeing; Taking Up the Challenge in Australia. //Medical Journal of Australia, 185// (8), 411. Retrieved from []

National LGBTI Health Alliance. (2012). Health and Intersex, Trans and Gender Diversity. Retrieved October 30, 2013, from []

Newbury, P. (2011). Harmful Ubiquity: Introducing Cisnormativity. Retrieved October 30, 2013, from []

Saunders, M., Peerson, A. (2009). Australia’s National Men’s Health Policy: Masculinity Matters. //Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 20// (2), 92-97. Retrieved from []

Smith, J.A. (2007). Beyond Masculine Stereotypes: Moving Men’s Health Promotion Forward In Australia. //Health Promotion Journal of Australia: Official Journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals, 18// (1), 20-25. Retrieved from []


 * REFLECTION **

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