Why more and more women are going to psychotherapists, while men are not

Psychological Revolution: Why Women Lead in Mental Health Care While Men Remain in the Shadows

In recent years, there has been a noticeable trend: more and more women are openly seeking help from psychologists and psychotherapists, working on themselves, and actively talking about mental health.

At the same time, men remain in the shadows - avoiding therapy, keeping internal problems to themselves, and more often dealing with them alone. Why is this happening?

Social stereotypes: "A real man doesn't complain"

From childhood, boys are taught: "Don't cry," "endure," "be strong." As they grow up, they learn that expressing emotions is a weakness, especially emotions like anxiety, fear, or vulnerability. Seeking help from a psychologist is perceived as an admission of one's own incompetence or weakness - and this is the main barrier.

Women are allowed to be emotional

Women in culture are traditionally considered emotional, they are "allowed" to cry, share feelings, and talk about their problems. Therefore, going to a psychotherapist is perceived as a logical continuation of self-care. It does not cause shame or condemnation.

Women more often face internal tension

Many women simultaneously perform the roles of employee, mother, wife, daughter, and "psychologist for everyone around." This load provokes anxiety, burnout, and the need for support. Psychotherapy becomes a way to preserve oneself, not to "fix" something broken.

Men are not used to asking for help

Men mostly solve problems independently, and believe that dealing with emotions is their personal business. Seeking help can be perceived as a loss of control over the situation. This is especially acute in cultures where the male role is associated with dominance and infallibility.

But the situation is changing

A new generation of men is emerging who are learning to talk about feelings, go to therapy, read books on psychology, share experiences on social media. This is a slow but important shift. They understand that strength is not in suppressing emotions, but in knowing how to work with them.

Women are a step ahead mentally - because they allow themselves to be alive. Men are just beginning this journey. And the sooner society stops shaming them for emotions, the healthier and deeper relationships, families, and self-realization will become.