Beyond "Manning Up": Exploring Societal Masculinity Norms on Mental Health among Young Cebuano Professionals

Abstract

For generations, society has defined what it means to be “a man” emphasizing traits such as strength, resilience, emotional restraint, dominance, and self-reliance (Marquez, 2024). While these expectations shape the concept of "real man," they often come at a cost: suppressing emotions, avoiding vulnerability, and adhering to rigid gender roles (Barragan, 2024). Phrases like "man up" or “keep calm” dismiss men's struggles, reinforcing the idea that seeking help is a sign of weakness (Mussatto, 2024). Despite growing discourse on masculinity and mental health, most studies remain heavily focused on Western or urban contexts, leaving limited understanding of how these norms operate within specific cultural and professional settings, such as among young male professionals in Cebu, Philippines. This study addresses this gap by utilizing a grounded theory approach to explore societal masculinity norms and its influence on mental health and coping strategies of young Cebuano professionals. Through the analysis of semi-structured interviews with 10 participants—comprising 4 straight men (2 single and 2 married), 3 openly gay men, and 3 effeminate men—selected through purposive sampling, an emergent theory of Negotiating Masculinity Through Conformity and Authenticity was developed. This theory described a cyclical process in which men internalize dominant masculinity norms, experience tension and struggle, and gradually redefine masculinity within the context of Filipino collectivist values. These findings together contribute to the growing discourse on culture, gender, and mental health in the Philippine context by providing a contextualized understanding of how young men in Cebu negotiate masculine ideals while protecting their mental health.