Normalization of Stoicism
The military has historically promoted a stoic attitude towards mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and sexual trauma. This can create significant challenges for veterans who may find it difficult to open up about their experiences and seek help for these issues. In addition, this mentality often leads to misconceptions about masculinity and femininity that further limit access to resources designed to support veterans' wellbeing.
Stoic Attitude Towards Mental Health
In military culture, stoicism is often glorified as a virtue, leading many soldiers to believe they should be able to handle their problems without outside assistance. They might view seeking help as weakness or vulnerability, which could affect their careers or reputations within the service. Veterans with untreated mental health issues are also more likely to engage in self-destructive behaviors like substance abuse or violence, making them less likely to receive the necessary treatment.
Misconceptions About Masculinity/Femininity
A common misconception in military culture is that men should be emotionally strong and women should be submissive and passive. This viewpoint makes it hard for male veterans to ask for emotional support or express themselves sexually after returning home. Women veterans may face similar obstacles but also have to contend with stereotypes about being promiscuous or "damaged goods." These beliefs can make it harder for both genders to connect with partners post-service, even if they do want intimate relationships.
Limited Access to Resources
Veteran organizations and healthcare providers typically offer services tailored towards male soldiers who struggle with PTSD, depression, and other trauma-related disorders.
These programs fail to recognize the unique needs of female veterans who experience sexual trauma or combat-related injuries. Many female veterans feel alienated by these programs and avoid seeking help altogether due to stigma surrounding their experiences.
The normalization of stoicism in military culture creates barriers to seeking support for sexual or emotional trauma. Veterans must overcome cultural attitudes and biases that prevent them from accessing resources designed to improve their wellbeing. A change in mindset is needed to break down these barriers and create a more inclusive environment where all veterans can access the care they need.
In what ways does the normalization of stoicism in military culture create barriers to seeking sexual or emotional support post-service?
The normalization of stoicism in military culture creates barriers to seeking sexual or emotional support post-service by reinforcing the stereotype that men should suppress their emotions and be self-reliant, which can lead individuals to internalize negative feelings and experience difficulty expressing them to others.