Risk Taking & Injuries
Some types of risk-taking can be a relatively healthy way to get a good dose of adrenalin - think skydiving or whitewater rafting. However, excessive risk-taking is a common and dangerous problem among men, especially behind the wheel.
“It's been noticed in the research data that men are far more likely to die in motor vehicle accidents, especially in their early 20's,” says Dr. Dan Bilsker, a psychologist at Vancouver General Hospital and a consultant to a mental health services research group (CARMHA) at Simon Fraser University. “It's a time of extremely high risk and men are at far more vulnerability for this form of mortality than are women.”
While risk-taking among men is a prevalent issue, society still hasn't identified it as a large problem. “We tend to deal with the consequences of risk-taking behaviour in the form of high levels of motor vehicle accidents and fatalities for young men,” says Dr. Bilsker.
Why do men take more risks than women? Some researchers point to higher levels of testosterone, which they say contributes to an increased willingness to take risks. Other studies report that men mistakenly believe that the opposite sex will be attracted by risky stunts. Whatever the reason, a man's inclination to take risks depends on a number of factors, including his age, personality, goals, environment, cognition, and mood.
How can men avoid dangerous risk-taking? “It's essential for men to think about their attitude towards risk-taking and work on changing unhealthy behaviours,” says Dr. Bilsker. They need to think about how they might be teaching young men, and how they may be teaching their sons. They need to distinguish between risk-taking which is courageous and honourable, and that which is simply tragic and foolish, like a young man driving quickly, filled with alcohol.”
Talking to a men's health provider or psychologist is an excellent first step in becoming more aware about unhealthy risk-taking behaviours and making positive changes.
Risk of Injury - Men vs. Women
Reason for Risk - Men vs. Women
