Male Suicide, Marriage and Unemployment

In the US, the suicide rate for men is four times that of women. Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for all U.S. men according to National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Yet, little has been done to address the problem. "Men in the overall U.S. population just haven't been the focus of a lot of suicide-prevention efforts," stated Kerry L. Knox, Ph.D., director of the Canandaigua Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Based on studies by Thomas Joiner, Ph.D, a professor of psychology at Florida State University and Professor John Macdonald, Co director of the the Men's Health Information and Resource Centre (MHIRC) in Australia, it appears, the two primary reasons causing the majority of male suicides is marriage and unemployment.

Joiner estimates that "romantic disruptions" and other relationship issues trigger depressive episodes in about 75 percent of men between the ages of 20 and 40 who commit suicide. Macdonald stated "Many men are overwhelmed by social problems like unemployment, family break-ups and not having access to their children. When a number of these social factors come together, they can be enough to send a man over the edge and contemplate self-harm,". Additionally, MSNBC Health ('Male Suicide' 2008) states "Data going back decades shows that, like clockwork, economic downturns push more men over the brink — a fact that should concern us all now. Men draw much of their identity from their careers, and when unemployment rises, that underpinning falls away." Lastly Lisa Firestone, Ph.D., a suicide expert stated "Especially in their early 20s, guys can think, This one person was right for me, I've lost her, and it's all over,". She continued "They lack the perspective that they're going to have other relationships, maybe even better relationships"

The fact relationships appear a major factor in male suicide indicates some men need a more realistic outlook about marriage. These men still have obsolete notions of marriage being everything. Being divorced or single is viewed as the end of the world.

At one time, having a wife meant having a companion. Someone who would care about you and help you in life. Those days are gone. Today, modern marriage is centered on the wife. Partnership is discouraged in women's literature. As emphasized by Parenting Magazine (Mad at Dad 2009) and repeated by many women's websites, husbands are now expected to do - at minimum - 50% of house chores. However, wives are not be expected to help husbands with housing repairs, auto maintenance or other similar tasks. These are deemed the "husband's job". Additionally, as emphasized by women's literature, house chores and husband's jobs must be completed according to the wife's time schedule. Her husband's viewpoint does not matter.

Any wife that helps her husband or considers his opinions is criticised in women's literature as subservient. Additionally, she will also be the target of peer pressure from other women to change her behavior toward her husband.

Also, in modern marriage, husbands are used as baby sitters so the wife can have her weekly 'girls night out". This is especially true if she wants to stay out late clubbing. However, boys night out is frowned upon. This is especially true if he wants stay out late clubbing. He will be considered a deadbeat.

Lastly, if a late night girls outing results in an extra maritial affair and pregnancy, its tough luck for the husband if he discovers the child isn't his. Nearly all states have laws supporting paternity fraud. The hapless husband must raise & finance the child. The sleezebag other man will have no obligations.

Modern wives are taught to view their husbands as living room decorations.

More men should be educated about modern marriage. Make them ask very fundamental questions. Why have a "modern" wife? What purpose does she serve? What value is she? What benefit is modern marriage? Admittedly, men have previously received a health benefit from being married. However, research by Hui Liu and Debra Umberson (Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 2008) show, today, there is little difference in health status between married and unmarried men.

Eroding the idea a man must have a modern wife in order to have a meaningful, healthy life can have a significant impact on the male suicide rate. Being divorced or single will no longer seem the end of the world. In fact, a better life is staying single, having a series of girlfriends & joining a biking, hiking swimming, astronomy, or history club. Men should join whatever organization interest them. Thousands of these groups can be found by searching the internet. Yahoo groups is one place to start. Being divorced / single is not unique. In America, 48% of the adult population is unmarried (Population Reference Bureau, 2009).

The second reason for male suicides may be more difficult to tackle. Male unemployment is due largely to lack of education. Millions of jobs requiring only a high school diploma have disappeared. A college degree or at least a degree from a technical school is now necessary for many good paying jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics show that since 1970, the unemployment rate for college graduates is half that of high school graduates. It also shows college graduates, on average earn nearly twice what high school graduates earn. Approximately 50% more women earn college degrees than men. This is the primary reason why, in most American cities, young single woman aged (22-30) earn more money than men of the same age group (New York research firm Reach Advisors 2008).

Men have trouble obtaining higher education. This is because America's education system is mostly controlled by two feminist groups. One group, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) has blocked every single attempted school reform designed to help increase boys interest & performance in school. They insist girls should remain the focus of education. Another group, The National Women's Law Center (NWLC), is responsible for the anti male culture throughout the school system. Boys as young as 4 have been charged with sexual harassment and suspended. The NWLC demands all schools be financially liable for incidents deemed as sexual harassment. Since schools have no money to defend themselves against NWLC lawsuits, its easier to suspend little boys for any reason. Ultimately, the boys learn to become detached from school.

Finally, there is the problem of financing. Because of AAUW pressure, big corporations such as Walmart, Home Depot and Starbucks, donate money to college grant programs with the stipulation the student cannot be male.

Together, the AAUW and NWLC significantly degrade and derail boys education thus making them less likely to advance into college or trade school. Changing this situation requires directly challenging feminist power. Also, a man must realize the national economy is beyond his control. Sometimes, unemployment is unavoidable regardless of education background.

Adjusting men's perceptions to a more realistic view of modern marriage and challenging feminist control over America's education system could have a significant impact on male suicide rates.