Invisible Men
Men's Inner Lives and the Consequences of Silence
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
Award-winning research psychologist Michael E. Addis identifies and provides answers surrounding the long-unspoken epidemic of silence and vulnerability in men
Drawing on scientific research, as well as his own personal and clinical experience, award-winning research psychologist Michael E. Addis describes in this book an epidemic of personal, relational, and societal problems that are caused by the widespread invisibility of men's vulnerabilities. From increasing rates of suicide among men, to alcohol abuse, to violence and school shootings, his research reveals the continued cost of staying silent when emotional, physical, or spiritual pain enters men's lives.
In the spirit of such bestsellers as William Pollack's Real Boys, Addis identifies the specific problems that result from men's silence and invisibility, what causes them, and how they can be changed. Addis provides readers with compelling stories of the causes and consequences of silence and invisibility in real men's lives. Invisible Men shows both male and female readers how they can break through the gauntlets that appear to protect men, but in reality cause severe harm to men, women, and families.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Addis, a professor of psychology at Clark University who focuses on men's mental health, offers a warm and accessible study of the causes and implications of emotional repression in men's lives. Call it the "don't talk about fight club" syndrome: given society's pressures on men to hide pain, struggle, and depression, men's inner lives remain, to their detriment, private. "How can men, as a group, be so audible, so visible, and in such positions of power in society," Addis writes, "and yet, as individuals, feel so disempowered and experience vulnerability and inner pain that remain silent and invisible?" He offers practical questionnaires and exercises for both men and women to better understand the issue and improve communication with the men in their lives. Addis's writing is pleasant and conversational, his research punctuated by endearing personal anecdotes. One involves a surprising, sincere discussion with a pizza deliveryman that ensues after Addis decides to experiment with the convention of responding to "How are you?" with "Fine." He tells the deliveryman the truth. "I... stated honestly that, in fact, at this particular time, I was not doing so well. He looked me in the eyes and was silent for a moment. I could tell that he was surprised by my response. Then he looked down and said, I know what you mean. My grandmother died yesterday.' " The two begin a dialogue that features the qualities of openness and trust that Addis would like to see in all conversations with and among men.