Gender
Sociology: AQA A Level, topic 5.2.2
Gender Differences in Health Chances
Men and women's health and illness is not the same within the UK.
Men's health in Britain
- In Britain, men:
- Have higher death rates than women.
- Have four years lower life expectancy.
- Are much more likely to die of heart disease and cancer.
Women's health in Britain
- In Britain, women:
- Are more likely to spend more years in poor health or with a disability.
- Suffer more mental illness.
- Are higher users of healthcare services than men.
Explanations of Gender Differences in Health
Explanations of gender differences in health mainly reflect socialisation and gender roles, including the following:
Feminine traits
- Women’s socialisation into femininity means that they tend to care of themselves more than men.
- Women are more likely to talk about their health problems, including emotions with friends and their GP.
Masculine traits
- Men are more likely to shrug off illness, thus demonstrating their masculinity, and are less likely to visit their GP.
- Higher death rates in men might reflect their tendency to deny or dismiss symptoms of disease and leave things until it’s too late.
Motherhood
- Women tend to be the managers of family health matters, having a greater nurturing and caring role in the family and, therefore, a more likely to visit the doctor with their children.
- Women have greater health need due to pregnancy and are often more attuned to illness and healthcare matters.
Risk taking
- Men are more likely to display risk-taking behaviours, such as substance abuse, engaging in dangerous sports and unhealthy eating.
- Men are more likely to work longer and more unsociable hours, which can be harmful to health.
Domestic violence
- Domestic violence is generally carried out by men against women.
- Feminists would argue this constitutes an expression of patriarchy and male dominance, this places a heavy physical and mental costs on the health of women.
Economic disadvantage
- Women are more likely to suffer from economic disadvantage.
- They are more likely than men to be lone parents, they live longer but are less likely to have an employee pension of savings in old age.
Test yourself on Gender
How much lower is the life expectancy for men compared to women in the UK?