The Conditioning of Men to View Themselves as Expendable

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Men's reluctance to seek help and take care of themselves may explain the higher suicide rates and shorter lifespans. The idea of men being more disposable in war and their role in replenishing the population contributes to societal expectations of toughness. This cultural programming leads to men sacrificing their health and lives. The emotional makeup required for war cannot be easily switched off.

Do nations fight wars because men are naturally violent? Or do societies condition men to embrace violence so they’ll fight the nation’s wars?

Along with co-hosts John Biewen and Celeste Headlee, this episode features reporting by Barry Lam of the Hi-Phi Nation podcast, with scholars Joshua Goldstein of American University, Tom Digby of Springfield College, and Graham Parsons of the United States Military Academy, aka West Point.

Music by Alex Weston, and Evgueni and Sacha Galperine. Music and production help from Joe Augustine at Narrative Music. Song fragment, “Men,” by Loudon Wainwright III.