Keeping it Together: Lloyd Austin and men's secret shame
Lloyd Austin's struggle with prostate cancer − or, more specifically, his refusal to readily disclose it to the public − has launched a firestorm of criticism and put the White House on the defensive.
So why didn't he reveal it sooner? Men's health experts say the defense secretary's hesitancy shouldn't come as a surprise.
Hello! I'm Charlie, and I'm a wellness reporter for Paste BN. This week, I looked into the stigma surrounding prostate cancer and why so many men feel shame revealing when they've been diagnosed with it.
Men commonly struggle with sharing weaknesses, in part, due to our culture's view of masculinity, even when it comes to important health matters, mental health experts told me. Add on top of that the complications of prostate cancer in particular − which can include the loss of sexual functioning − and you have an illness that's especially difficult for men to admit they have, though it is one of the most common cancers.
Psychologists say cultural attitudes and pressures regarding masculinity could have played a role in Austin's hesitancy to reveal his diagnosis.
"Masculinity is, in part, based on self-efficacy, and things like losing control of your bladder or experiencing pain when urinating or having a difficulty with sexual functioning can really impact men's self-esteem," says Erik Anderson, a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in men's issues and anxiety. "To admit that difficulty in functioning, it really feels like talking about a very vulnerable part of yourself."
Ronald Levant, a professor emeritus of psychology at The University of Akron and author of "The Tough Standard: The Hard Truths About Masculinity and Violence," adds the expectations men hold themselves to regarding physical prowess also lead them to stay silent.
"The last thing people want to do when they're feeling ashamed of themselves is talk about it," he says.
You can find more from that story here and other insightful reads from our team below.