This explains the self hating whites phenomena
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I wish I had one on me, but it was a topic of discussion in my undergrad around 5~ years ago. We had a lot of discussions on topics that wouldn't be allow attention outside the school itself because of how "problematic" it was. If I can track down my ancient notes I will update you though.
The gist being that men don't like to talk about our problems. Being forced to do so causes anxiety, and admission of weakness. Feelings of weakness are a cycle that don't go away easy and just spiral downward. 9/10 men in therapy are there by force, sometimes legal but often under threat/manipulation from a girlfriend/wife, which is a whole cavalcade of issues I could rant about forever. Just know there is a reason why Couple's Counseling is basically snake oil and everyone in the business knows it.
Man therapy is basically doing manly things in a healthy environment. Basically you are paying a therapist to take you to the gym, hiking, hunting, fishing, etc. (generally they choose, but you should find one in your interest range) and you basically bro it out. The feelings of accomplishment and returning to your simple roots helps remove the stress and anxieties of the over complex modern world and help you focus on what's bothering you.
A lot of times, the self-confidence boost from these activities alone is enough to swipe away the itching in your mind. Other times its the relaxation you feel, as well as the trust/rapport with your doc, allows you to better think and articulate the problems you are having and then a generic therapy session endures.
Regardless of the exact form taken, its doing what your grandad did almost. Dealing with his problems with whiskey, his bros, and a manly hobby. Shockingly he knew what he was doing because it works wonders.
It kinda blows my mind that it's become necessary to reinvent the wheel in such a way. I hope this 'new field' continues to grow.
For a while now, I've had the notion that a good friend can do the job of a good therapist. It's how I often try to describe the benefit of therapy to other people. I suppose I was a little naive - not everyone wants to have the type of friend you talk to about personal shit. But this reaffirms that having a good friend will likely prevent the need for a therapist, not that gaining such a friend doesn't have its own difficulties.
It's also a glimmer of hope, in a way. This could be the start of seriously re-evaluating how useful our discarded traditions were, followed by re-introducing them into public acceptance. (rabid smear campaigns aside)
It is and isn't. There is a lot of pushback from the political and ideologues in the field, because psychology is basically a propaganda arm for the Progressive Movement, but there are genuine altruistic people going into the field every day and plenty of older folks who do only care about helping at the top. So despite the attempts to keep it on the downlow (you'll rarely read about it, or have it offered to you) it still exists and gets its name out there.
I think the lack of closeness is necessary for therapy to do its job where a friend can't. Your buddy you can call a fag and ignore him, but a trained professional (who you are paying, sunken cost fallacy and all) holds different weight. He also knows when to pounce and when to let off on what you say, how to manipulate you into running face first into the truth and admitting it, and how to de-escalate if stuff spirals out of control. A good friend can prevent the need like you say, but once its too late they are likely not enough to undo the damage alone.
One part of the man therapy process though is helping you gain the confidence to go out and involve yourself in these hobbies once the therapy ceases, which is how you gain a squad of good bros for life.
I wouldn't rely on it to be your ray of hope though. This is a bandaid for fixing broken men, but broken people will never be right again just better. We need to actually stop the problem at its source to get anywhere.