Aftereffects For Men Abused As Children
March 11, 2010 by Diane
Men, just like women, normally don’t disclose that they were abused as children. Men, however, have an additional burden because of the stereotypes placed on them by society that they must be “manly” and hide their feelings. All this does is to reinforce the old messages that they are to deny their reality of what happened to them.
Research shows a range of ways that the victimization of boys differs from those of girls:[1]
- Boys experience both intrafamilial and extrafamilial abuse, yet they are more frequently molested by someone outside the family.
- The onset of abuse tends to occur at a younger age for boys than for girls, and tends to end earlier for boys.
- Physical force is used more frequently against male victims than their female counterparts.
- Both women and men are perpetrators, but boys are more frequently abused by someone of their own sex, while girls are more frequently abused by someone of the opposite sex.
- Males tend to minimize their victimization or view it less negatively than do females despite studies indicating equivalent levels of psychological damage to both sexes.
- Males show a greater reluctance to disclose their abuse history, which makes them more susceptible to a number of somatic (physical) and emotional disorders years later.
- Most studies show that more females than males are sexually victimized as children; however, due to males’ reluctance to disclose, some believe the numbers could be equal.
- For men, sexual dysfunction may take the form of compulsive masturbation, decreased sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and/or anorgasmia (inability to experience an orgasm). Confusion about sexuality is very common among male survivors. Sexual victimization of males can carry with it a hidden implication of reduced manhood.
Molested boys may be more prone to externalize sexual and aggressive behavior, report having school problems, have trouble involving the police, have fantasies of aggression, have sexual preoccupation, and excessive masturbation. These issues are among the reasons that bring men into the healthcare setting.
[1] Elliott, DM, Briere, J: The Sexually Abused Boy: Problems in Manhood. Medical Aspects of Human Sexuality 26:68-71, 1992
This entry was posted on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 7:32 am and is filed under Abuse. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
March 14, 2010 at 2:25 pm
“Men, however, have an additional burden because of the stereotypes placed on them by society that they must be “manly” and hide their feelings.” – I always intuitively thought that men had a harder time disclosing their feelings about this type of thing. This is interesting information. Thanks Diane.
March 14, 2010 at 3:49 pm
I believe it is important to be inclusive and discuss the full range of impact that is caused by child abuse. I’m glad you found this post useful.
April 7, 2010 at 12:07 am
If I may, here are some specifics to add to the list of aftereffects:
*inhibited social skills
*episodes of suicidal thoughts
*recurring depression
*agoraphobia
*eating disorders i.e. bulimia. or a heightened fixation on physical fitness
*cutting, tearing, biting, chewing one’s flesh (cheeks, lips, fingers tips)
*tearing fingernails and toenails
*sleeping disorders including insomnia, night tremors, nightmares
*inability to concentrate, focus, or “live in the moment”
*stigma that one may be viewed as a “victim,” “weak,” or suspicious of becoming a predator
*”guarded” demeanor, protecting one’s privacy and “personal space”
*creating a personal escape through time-consuming addictions i.e. video games, TV, disassembling/rebuilding things, sports, gym, alcohol, etc.
*unfounded phobias
*panic and/or anxiety attacks
*anger management issues, overt aggressiveness or severe shyness
April 8, 2010 at 6:41 pm
Thank you for adding to my list. It helps even further to show the devastating effects of child abuse.