Man Up: inspired genius or half-baked celebrity expertise?
Gus Worland investigates the causes of male suicide: but should a celebrity tell experts how to suck eggs? Steve Ellen discusses in this cross-posting from The Conversation.
Man Up is a three-part ABC documentary exploring whether the stereotype of the emotionally-stunted, stoic Aussie man is contributing to our high rate of male suicide.
It’s done from the perspective of a quintessential Aussie bloke – Gus Worland – one of three male co-hosts on the Grill Team, a Sydney morning radio show that’s more blokey than football, meat pies and Holdens.
The series begins by highlighting our problem with male suicide: it’s the most common cause of death for men under 45. Seventy five percent of all suicides are men; the rate is twice the road toll – yet as Worland repeatedly asks: “Why doesn’t everyone know about this?”
Nice review Steve. If there is one thing that comes out of this for me is that Schools are where this needs to be taught. Empathy classes should be part of the curriculum. Classes on bullying, suicide, domestic violence should be taught in each year so that when kids go out into the world they have the right tools and the right attitude towards themselves and others.