Masculinity
At CaPS, we recognize that society’s tendency for a conceptual understanding of the term “masculinity” has shifted from a traditionally rigid and monolithic set of traits and attributes to a specific gender, to a more fluid concept that continues to evolve through continued academic study, media discourse and societal shifts. This more complex understanding of masculinity is also reflected in an increasingly diverse, heterogenous student body at CMU.
CaPS strives to be culturally responsive and knowledgeable regarding the intersection of masculinity and mental health. CaPS refers to a historical understanding of how masculinity has impacted help-seeking behavior in male identified individuals in addressing mental health concerns, and how the continual redefinition of masculinity over time impacts life on campus and the services we provide.
Masculinity Resources
- Therapy for Black Men - Resource for multiculturally competent care for Black men to reduce stigma around seeking mental health services
- We Need to Redefine Manhood. Our Warped Ideas Are Causing a Mental Health Crisis - An article from The Guardian exploring how socially prevalent attitudes that have defined masculinity can negatively impact mental health
- The Many Faces of Masculinity - A Washington Post article exploring the experiences of different men and their experiences with expression of masculinity in their respective societies
- Mental Health Stigma: How a Culture of Shame Silences South Asian Men - A Metro News article exploring how societal stigma and shame impacts mental health and help seeking behaviors among South Asian males