Middle-aged men are not expected to have low self-esteem problems. It’s something that we tend to associate with the younger generation and it’s often considered a problem that affects women more than men. But it’s a common misconception that men don’t care about the way that they look or what other people think of them. In fact, there are a lot of men that are struggling with self-esteem issues but they never say anything because they don’t feel that they are being taken seriously.
Understanding what some of the big challenges are can help deal with their self-esteem issues and realize that they’re not alone in feeling like this. These are some of the big reasons why older men are struggling with their self-esteem.
Outdated Gender Roles
Gender roles can be very damaging to men as well as women because they create a sense of competition. Men are told that they have to be big achievers and provide for their household and their worth is often tied to their position in relation to other men. There is also a lot of pressure to be successful in the dating world. This causes men to constantly compare themselves to their peers.
The problem with these gender roles is that they leave little room for individuality. Men, who don’t fit the stereotypical mold of the successful provider and the hard worker, often hide their feelings because they feel as though they are a failure if they can’t meet those expectations. This often leads to anxiety and depression which only makes them even more insecure about themselves. If you want to improve your self-esteem, it is important to stop measuring yourself against outdated ideas of what it means to be a man.
Body Image Issues
Body image issues are another problem that people don’t usually associate with men. But the reality is, a lot of men are concerned about the way they look, especially as they get older. Just like women, men are exposed to unrealistic body standards on social media and they compare themselves to others.
Learning to be happy with the way that you look is important, but you can also take steps to deal with the things you are unhappy with. If you are concerned about the signs of aging, consider working with a specialist like Dr Jason Roth and exploring your treatment options. Improving your diet and exercising regularly also makes a big difference. However, you need to be realistic and accept that, as you get older, it will be harder to stay in shape.
Childhood Traumas
If you’ve had anything traumatic happen to you when you were younger, it will always affect how you view yourself because of the lasting impact that these events have on your life. If you went through some sort of abuse or neglect, it’s important to see a therapist so that you can begin working through those issues. This is something that can impact anybody, but men are less likely to admit their problems and seek professional help.
As a man, it is important to be aware of these things so you can avoid falling into the trap of low self-esteem.
