Risk is Essential for Masculinity's Existence

Risk is Essential for Masculinity's Existence

In various cultures and societies, the concept of manliness has been closely associated with risk-taking. This link, as researchers have discovered, is a complex interplay of biological, cultural, and historical factors.

Societal expectations and norms play a significant role in shaping the dominant cultural ideal of manhood, often referred to as hegemonic masculinity. This ideal emphasizes traits like emotional control, dominance, competitiveness, and risk-taking. The roles of primary providers and protectors, which require and often reward risk-taking behaviors, are often assigned to men.

Traditional masculine norms, including risk-taking and aggression, are often seen as necessary for achieving status and social standing. However, these norms can lead to behaviors that are harmful but are culturally reinforced as masculine, a phenomenon often referred to as toxic masculinity.

Men may engage in risk-taking activities as part of group identities, such as "edgework," and to align with peer groups. These activities offer a sense of belonging and reinforcement of masculine norms.

An evolutionary perspective suggests that men have historically engaged in high-risk competition for status and resources to increase their attractiveness to potential mates. This competitive environment has led to selection for traits like aggression and risk-taking, which were advantageous in ancestral environments.

Hormones such as testosterone are linked to both aggression and risk-taking behaviors, providing a biological basis for why men might be more inclined towards these behaviors. Studies show that higher testosterone levels in both sexes correlate with greater risk-taking, but men (generally) take more risks due to higher T-levels.

However, it's important to note that risk isn't just about gambling, extreme sports, or other traditionally "risky" activities. It's any decision or behavior with a significant probability of a negative outcome. Risk is subjective and shaped by genes, upbringing, and environment, with activities like scaling cliffs feeling routine to experienced climbers but terrifying to novices.

The pressure to conform to these norms can lead to psychological costs, such as depression, stress, and poor social functioning, especially when men feel they cannot meet these expectations. On the other hand, recognizing one's risk-taking tendencies and preparing and planning can help mitigate these risks.

Start small; work your way up; you don't have to take epic risks to start embracing risk. Start small and gradually build up your risk-taking abilities. In studies of financial traders, male stockpickers tend to make riskier investments compared to female ones. Yet, in fields like brain surgery, over 90% of surgeons are men.

Cultures across various societies, including Cretan shepherds and Plains Indians, have created rites of passage involving risk. Today, this tradition continues in various forms, from extreme sports to high-stakes professions. In a mountain village in mid-20th-century Crete, a young shepherd might steal his neighbour's goats as a means to prove his manhood. A century earlier and half a world away, a Comanche warrior would stalk a blue-coated cavalryman, aiming to touch the enemy with his coup stick and retreat unharmed.

In a hospital in the United States, a neurosurgeon stands over an exposed brain, with the potential for salvation or catastrophe for the patient. Natural and sexual selection favored high-T males who successfully took risks, raising their status and increasing their sexual desirability. Psychologist Roy Baumeister suggests that men must earn respect, repeatedly achieving, obtaining, surpassing, and conquering in public actions to validate their manhood.

In conclusion, the link between manliness and risk-taking is reinforced by both evolutionary pressures that emphasize competition and cultural norms that define masculinity in terms of risk and aggression. Understanding this link can help individuals make informed decisions about their own risk-taking behaviors and navigate the complex world of societal expectations.

1. In some cultural ideals of manhood, traits like confidence, emotional control, and dominance are emphasized, reflecting the significance of hegemonic masculinity.
2. Men's mindset often aligns with traditionally masculine norms, such as risk-taking and aggression, which can help achieve status and social standing but can lead to toxic behavior.
3. A man's style might showcase these masculine traits through certain fashion choices, while his character is tested and shaped by the risks he takes, both in group settings and as a primary provider/protector.
4. Science has discovered that hormones like testosterone, which plays a role in aggression and risk-taking, can affect a man's health and wellness, including his chemistry, behavior, and mood.
5. By acknowledging and understanding one's risk-taking tendencies, a man can work on his health and wellness, preparing and planning to mitigate negative outcomes, leading to a more balanced lifestyle and self-improvement.
6. In various societies, many traditions involve risk as part of a rite of passage for men, testing their manhood and challenging their skills in extreme sports or high-stakes professions, demonstrating that risks bring an element of style and character to manliness.

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