I love the community of OCD bloggers that's grown up in the last couple of years. I love the support, and I just love hearing what you're all up to.
But I also think it's funny that we're pretty much all women. I don't know of any data that indicate that woman are more prone to OCD, and the best data I found indicates that blogging itself is split about 50-50 between men and women. And yet here we are, a support group of women.
I do have some male followers, and from time to time, someone male leaves a comment with an OCD blog link, but most of them don't post very often, if at all.
Puzzling. Not that I mind our girl power (ha!) but I still find it puzzling. Anyone have any thoughts?
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You are stronger than you think!
1 year ago
At the risk of sterotyping, I wonder if very generally speaking, men are less likely to feel comfortable talking about what many still perceive to be a weakness (mental illness)?
ReplyDeleteI know there are male bloggers who write about OCD, but you're right, most I am in contact with are by female writers.
Men might be more ashamed to express that they have problems. Maybe.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed this before and wondered too. Maybe (and this is also stereo-typical) women are more comfortable expressing their feelings. I read a couple of OCD blogs written by men, but there are way more women writers for sure.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't know, being a male blogger. ;) I don't blog exclusively about OCD though. Maybe us guys have shorter attention spans and therefore are less likely to have an OCD-specific blog instead if just blogging about it when it's relevant?
ReplyDeleteIt's so funny that you write about this. I was just wondering about this myself recently!
ReplyDeleteMost men that I personally know (most, but not all) tend to be a lot less talkative about everything, especially things concerning illness. I think it's sad too, because I do believe talking (or writing) about things helps you to clarify your thoughts, put things in perspective, and can an opportunity for others to comfort and support you.
Interesting thoughts, all. Nice to see you, Jack. Yours is an interesting idea as well.
ReplyDeleteI have had some men friends who were really good at communicating "feelings" but have read many articles on how men bond (supposedly over an activity as golf, etc.) differently than woman. I have seen my husband sit through an entire football game on TV and not say much, yet he wants me there with him so my just being there means something, whereas bonding time to me is talking/ a discussion. But I hate to generalize..I just wonder if they look for support for what they may think is a weakness????
ReplyDeleteI think it's the basic difference between men and women. Women have a problem, and what do they do? They search out others for help. Men have a problem, and what do they do? They pretend it doesn't exist in hopes it will go away! :) lol
ReplyDeleteI think not wanting to admit to mental illness because it's perceived as a weakness is also an issue. My dad is that way. He has OCD tendencies, but he will NEVER admit to it. When he found out I had OCD, he was even uncomfortable with ME having OCD. He thought I should just tough it out, and "man up". (See - that phrase right there is pretty indicative of our culture right there). :)
On the other hand, though, I have 3 blog friends that are male that write about mental illness (OCD, depression, and Bi-polar). Their writing style is very different, though. And they're not ones to leave comments and be all supportive and stuff. :)
Anyway, interesting post. And good job on the co-workers with colds issue. As always, I'm impressed and encouraged by your success.
The blogging population in general is mostly female, and guys are less likely to discuss their troubles while we usually work things out by talking through them. I think it's a combination of both factors.
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