Social Development Enhancement Emphasizes the Significance of Social Partners' Influence in Their Own Development
In a recent interview with the "New Osnabrueck Newspaper" (NOZ), Paula Lambert discussed the connection between traditional gender roles and suicide rates among men.
Lambert, the moderator of the discussion, stated that men are stuck in patriarchal structures, which she believes contributes to their unhappiness. She further added that these structures, in turn, lead to higher suicide rates among men.
The interview aligns with findings from a Swiss study, which suggests that traditional gender roles are strongly linked to suicide rates among men. The pressures of conforming to masculine norms such as emotional stoicism, self-reliance, and reluctance to seek help increase vulnerability to suicide.
According to the Swiss study, men die by suicide 1.5 to 4 times more often than women, partly explained by adherence to traditional masculine behaviors and the use of more lethal methods. In some societies, male roles confer higher status and social responsibilities, but suicide among men is often stigmatized as a sign of weakness or failure to live up to masculine ideals.
Traditional male norms discourage expressing vulnerability, leading to loneliness and weak social ties, which are strongly linked to increased suicidal ideation and behavior in men. Beyond clinical factors like mental illness and substance misuse, social dimensions shaped by traditional gender roles—such as identity conflicts, isolation, and stigma around emotional expression—play a critical role in male suicide risk.
Lambert expressed a desire for this connection to be better understood, and she believes that men could develop better and live happier lives in egalitarian societies. However, she also expressed concern about the return of traditional gender roles, particularly as social media platforms like "OnlyFans" are fueling this regression.
Despite the important discussion, the interview did not provide specific statistics or data from the Swiss study, nor did it mention any specific measures or solutions to address the issue. Nevertheless, the interview serves as a call to action to challenge harmful masculine norms and promote community connection, peer support, and emotional expression as means to reduce male suicide risk.
Science and mental health make a compelling case for the need to reevaluate traditional gender roles, as evidenced by the connection to health-and-wellness and mens-health, particularly regarding suicide rates. The findings from a Swiss study indicate that adherence to traditional masculine behaviors contributes to increased suicidal ideation and behavior in men.
