Man Flu

Because I have had the flu this week it has given me some time to think (as I lay in bed suffering).

I have seen lots of research showing that men do NOT access most health services as much as our female counterparts. Many reasons are given for this, not least of which is "social norms and values associated with a traditional view of masculinity - self reliance, suppression of emotion and perserverence in the face of pain or discomfort" ( The Health of Australia's Males; June 2011; Australian Institute of Health and Welfare). Wellll

During this past week I have been teased and ridiculed by the women in my life for overreacting. They did not use the term overreacting, they used the term 'manflu' as if this is something else than 'flu'. As if because I am sick and act like I am sick that must mean I am weak/playacting/etc.

Its time that ALL of our community support men when they have the gonads to actually be sick. Of course we are going to pretend that nothing is wrong with us most of the time if we get teased for showing our true state of being.

I for one am sick and tired of the term man flu. Men if you are sick, or tired, or depressed or happy----please show it. It only makes us more human.