New study finds ‘macho’ countries aren’t happy places to live

• A new study has revealed that countries where men believe they must constantly prove their “manhood” tend to have lower happiness levels.
• The research found that higher precarious manhood beliefs (PMB) correlated with lower economic output, reduced life expectancy, less social support, and heightened perceptions of corruption.
• Lebanon, Iran, and Nigeria were identified as countries with high PMB and low happiness, contrasting with Nordic nations like Denmark, Finland, and Sweden, which showed low PMB and high happiness.
• Researchers from Boston College analysed data from 59 countries, combining findings from the World Happiness Report with a global study on PMB and health risk behaviours.
• The study suggests that cultural beliefs about masculinity worsen health disparities, reduce collective well-being, and increase national healthcare burdens by discouraging cooperation and emotional openness.

IN FULL

Countries with extreme views on masculinity are unhappy places to live, study finds