Why are men more inclined to wear masks?
The reason why wearing a mask is so important is easily understood. Already 15 million people worldwide have been infected with Covid-19, and more than six million people have died. But even then, the frustration is that many people still do not realize the need to wear a mask and do not even wear a mask. Other personal protective equipment (PPE) or personal protective equipment is far away. We are talking about Why are men more inclined to wear masks.
Studies have shown that men are more likely than women not to want to wear a mask. However, in most of the countries where death data is available due to Covid-19 infection, the number of dead men is higher. And it is important to note that this tendency of men not to protect themselves was evident in the various epidemics that preceded history.
So naturally, the question arises, what is the reason behind such mentality of a large part of men worldwide? Why don’t they want to protect themselves by wearing masks, and PPE?
The pride and arrogance of men
Valerio Caparo, a senior lecturer in economics at Middlesex University, and Helen Barcelo, a Canadian mathematician at the Mathematical Science Research Institute in Berkeley, recently conducted an analytical study of men’s behavior.
The two educators surveyed 2,459 participants in the United States. They found that men were not only less interested in wearing masks than women but also considered wearing masks ‘shameful’, ‘uncomfortable’, and ‘a sign of weakness.’ Dr. According to Capraro, the trend is even more pronounced in countries where it is not mandatory to cover one’s face during a corona epidemic.
“Men are less inclined to wear masks to cover their faces, and one of the main reasons is that they think they are less susceptible to Covid-19 disease than women. More impact. “
The survey also found that twice as many women as men are interested in wearing masks when going out.
In addition, several other studies have shown that men are less interested in hand hygiene and basic hygiene. According to a recent survey, only 52 percent of men wash their hands regularly, compared to 65 percent of women.
Men’s overconfidence
Men’s overconfidence also plays a big role in the gender gap between men and women in wearing masks. Long ago, different gender studies have shown that men and women judge any risky or dangerous issue from different perspectives.
This kind of precaution is also noticeable in the case of an epidemic. Even during the 2009 swine flu pandemic, more women than men wore masks. Even though wearing masks has been going on for a long time in some countries of Asia. there is a tendency for women to wear masks in their daily lives. During the SARS epidemic in 2002-03, women in Hong Kong were seen wearing more masks and washing their hands regularly.
Men’s indifference
An indisputable reason why men are often in danger outside of self-confidence is their indifference. Women are seen to be comparatively more careful in everything from worldly matters to big tasks like running the country. And this issue can be said to be globally recognized.
While men oppose social norms, they are equally respectful of the law as women. Because disobedience to the law is directly related to punishment-jail-fine. So in the midst of the ongoing Corona epidemic, a common phenomenon around the world is the initial denial of men wearing masks, but their equal participation if later made mandatory by law.
Men lack collective thinking.
Since men are confident that coronavirus will not harm them, many of them dare to go out without masks or PPE. They are not thinking a little ahead. Although coronavirus may not have much of them. Many others may be infected by them later on. But women are more prone to this collective thinking. They don’t just think of themselves. They also think that if they do not go out safely and become infected with the coronavirus. Other family members may be infected by them when they return home.
Politics also has an effect.
In many countries, political ideology plays a major role. This is especially true in the United States. Political ideology they support is according to a June 25, 2020, report by the Pew Research Center, 76 percent of Democrat voters wear masks all the time, or almost always. Republicans, on the other hand, wore masks only 53 percent.
But there is a huge difference between Republicans and men wearing masks. A May survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation of the United States found that 68 percent of Republican-leaning women walked out of the house wearing masks. But are Republican-supporting men doing the same thing? Only 49 percent!
Is it possible to change the way men think?
Of course possible. Men have started wearing masks in countries where masking has already been made compulsory. However, it is not possible to say for sure how much they did the work from the heart in this case. But many men have started wearing masks in recent times, even from their own perceptions. There are mainly two issues at work.
Campaign
Coronavirus campaigns are most helpful in changing the mood and behavior of all, men and women alike. In the beginning, many people thought that it was impossible for anyone to be infected with the coronavirus, let alone prevent it. Many feel that they are physically strong enough to have their own immune system. So if they want, they can go out without wearing a mask. But through vigorous propaganda. Many of them are now able to realize that everyone needs to be aware of coronavirus to survive. And even if they do not risk any harm to themselves. They must be aware of the concerns of others around them.
In addition to the fact that men are not free from coronavirus infections. But men have a higher mortality rate, many men have become more aware of this due to proper publicity. Therefore, it can be said that a nationwide campaign is the most important factor in changing the mindset of individuals regarding coronavirus.
Peer pressure
Yes, this issue is also very important to change the mentality of both men and women. Because what a person does or doesn’t do is not always his sole decision. On the contrary, in this case, the actions or words of his peers also have a big impact. For example, a person may have never done a job before. But every one in his circle of friends started working. At one point. He too was more likely to be influenced by his friends.
The same goes for coronavirus awareness. A person may not be aware of himself. However, if awareness arises even among the majority of his friends or those with whom he is in constant contact. Then there is a possibility of that person becoming aware of himself. So if any of your acquaintances are not yet fully aware of the coronavirus. You may be the well-wisher who will bring about a change in his attitude and behavior.