Are Men Good At Being Sick?
Many people say that a man is nothing more than an adult child when they become ill. I am not quite sure why so many people think men are not good at being sick. Truthfully, I am exceptionally good at being sick.
My wife has told me that I am a typical male when I do not feel well. I know I am not the best patient because I can become pathetic, demanding and irritable. I do not believe that I am a terrible patient because I am male. I think I act this way because I do not want to be ill and as the old saying goes “misery loves company.“
Male Stages of Being Sick
Being sick makes you look your worst!
When I am sick I go through stages based on the length of the illness. The stages are also based upon being pathetic, demanding and irritable.
Day 1: Pathetic – During stage 1 I think I am dying and want the comfort and companionship of the people who mean the most to me. It is during this stage of being ill that I want to express my “last” goodbyes to everyone.
Day 2: Demanding – During stage 2 I am still not feeling well but I am beginning to think I might not die. I start to think about how miserable I am and want to know if others are suffering as much as me. I also begin to demand unique requests to make the day go faster, e.g., a new book, a fluffed pillow or a special soup.
Day 3: Irritable – Stage 3 brings the added pressure of being inside the house for too long. I now know I am going to live, but I am tired of looking at the same four walls in a room. It is during this point of being sick that everyone “can” become an enemy.
I was rarely sick until we had children or as I like to call my son, “a walking petri dish.” Do not misunderstand me I love my son, but I could do without the germs he brings in the house. It is a constant struggle to make him understand that you need to use soap and water to wash your hands.
To Whine or, Not to Whine
It’s no fun when your ill!
Over the last few weeks, we have had one illness after the next in our house. I did not realize that my son would begin to take on my traits of being a male so early.
Day 1: Pathetic – The first day Xander’s sick he is sweet and highly agreeable. He wants to cuddle with me or his mamma. He is unusually quiet and shy. It is during this time period you can not help but feel sorry for my 4 year-old son.
Day 2: Demanding – Generally, the next day Xander begins to show an attitude. He starts asking for different things. He is polite when he asks for things, “Dada, I am sick. Would you get my cup off the table I can’t reach it.” (He is less than a foot away from the cup and adds a cough).
Day 3: Irritable – The third day for my son is usually the worst. Now is also the time that Xander starts to refuse to accept any medicine. He wants to go outside and play again and eagerly voices his concerns. “Dada, I not sick anymore. I all better now. I go play outside now. Please!“
Let The Battle Begin
I do not have an issue with my son acting like me when he’s sick. Honestly, I am a little flattered that he wants to act like me. It only becomes a problem when we are both sick at the same time.
We both battle to see who is the most pathetic, demanding and irritable. I am not sure, but somehow I think he wins most of the battles. Xander still has a little boy cute factor. I lost my cute factor years ago.
I can accept my quirks when I am sick. However, my son can not yet admit he has any idiosyncrasies when he is sick. I am hoping by the time he is a grown man he will have outgrown a few of his “illness” traits. If he does not outgrow them, I have a feeling his future wife will be calling me a lot.
I still do not think men are worse than anyone else when it comes to being sick, but I might be biased. How hard is it watching a child when their sick versus a man? Are men worse than kids when the become sick? Tell me more in the comments!
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Tags: constant struggle, germs, misery loves company, petri dish, typical male
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I must have my wires crossed here or have gained an extra Y chromosome I don’t want.Julia tells me I never admit sickness because I’m afraid she’ll call he doctor. However deny it as I might I do show signs as I’m told I go quiet( for that she’s probably say sullen), don’t want to do anything ( whiny) and sigh a lot while being restless ( moping). That certainly doesn’t sound like a man thing to me. Now children, yes, I can believe anything of children after years of taking in their diseases and germs though it now seems that’s our fault.Keeping them too clean has ruined their resistance for all the weird germs they can collect in a day.
So Aaron my friend. I’m only thinking of you when I say this. Take Xanser outside and plant him in a muddy flowerpot. Go back to collect him when he’s about mmm 16 and he should be immune to everything and you won’t get ill again.
Hugs to you all.
David Prosser recently posted…Infamy, Infamy, They’ve all got it Infamy.
David,
I should added something about hiding out and not talking about it. I do the same thing. I fight it to the bitter end. It’s once I admit I am sick that I become a huge pain in the butt….lol
Aaron
Aaron Brinker recently posted…5 Ways To Be A Child Again
I have a theory, it may well be off target but it’s my theory and I shall get onto it in just a moment.
First though, having lived over the past 30 years with 3 different men, my answer is yes, men are not good at being ill. Your post made me smile because you highlighted so perfectly the stages of ‘the critical illness’
My theory is this. For time immemorial it has been deemed a desirable quality in men to have strength. This is not my view, but generally speaking men are not supposed to cry, show weakness or be feeble. Traditionally they are the hunter/gatherers, they fiercely protect their women and young; they are expected to be tough. When they become ill, whether it be a sniffly cold, or full blown flu, I believe that whether consciously or not, it allows them a window of opportunity to be mothered and to take time out from being the tough guy.
My theory is probably an absolute load of bunkum but I like your posts and I wanted to leave a comment!
Lottie Nevin recently posted…What Is Love?
Lottie,
You have a great theory! There might be a lot of truth to your theory. I know when I get sick I don’t like to tell anyone until the last minute. It’s only gotten bad now that I compete with my son…lol
Aaron
Aaron Brinker recently posted…Are Men Good At Being Sick?
I can relate to this post a little too much!
Justin,
I am totally on board with you on this…lol
I am starting to believe that all men do “pretty much” the same thing I do….yikes!
Aaron
Aaron Brinker recently posted…5 Ways Children Age Parents
I really enjoyed this post. What I find interesting is that when I am sick, I have to keep going. When my husband is sick, I am usually saying, “Go lay down. Go take care of yourself.” When I’m sick, I will go to the doctor, I’ll take medication (yes, while I’m still “doing”). My husband won’t go to the doctor easily and only takes medication when things get really bad. I hate to believe that there is a true gender difference here, but I hear this over and over from friends, as well: Their husbands do the exact same thing. Let’s just think healthy thoughts for all
. Ellen
Ellen Bremen recently posted…An F on Your Transcript and Your Dream Job: What Do You Say About That?
Ellen,
Thank you!
I don’t like to believe it’s a true gender difference either but the evidence is definitely pointing that way. I am actually not sure why it’s like this either. My only thought is it might be because men like to see themselves as strong. We all know that when we are sick we definitely strong or at our best.
Aaron
Aaron Brinker recently posted…From Boyhood to Fatherhood
I do ok when i’m sick. The problem is how badly I handle my wife being sick.
She LOVES to remind me of how, when she was pregnant with our second and she had morning sickness every day for what seemed like a month, I yelled at her at one point, “Go throw up someplace else!”
She will never let me live that down…probably deservedly so!
Keith Miller recently posted…Surviving Infidelity: Is Monogamy Normal?
Keith,
LOL…I can see why she might not let you live that down. I know when my wife was pregnant I learned quickly don’t upset the woman that’s pregnant. it’s never good for anything you “might” want to do….yikes
Aaron
Aaron Brinker recently posted…Who Wants To Be A Cowboy?
Love your post! And just to confirm, men are bad at being sick. The first stage you’ve outlined, “Pathetic”, says it all. Sometimes it’s just a flu. See, we women don’t start by thinking we’re dying the moment we’re a little feverish.
Truth be told, a lot of us make fun of you guys about this.
Brenda Siara recently posted…WHAT IF…?
Brenda,
Thank you!
I already knew lot’s of people make fun of men on this…lol I think it’s 100% acceptable that people make fun of us on being sick. I know for myself, I don’t mind people making fun of me for it. I would just rather be healthy.
Aaron
Aaron Brinker recently posted…The Value In Losing
Hi Aaron,
A really enjoyable post, nice humor in there and certainly a good read. I too go through the exact same stages when I am, I become extremely irritable and my mom is just vexed of my nuances.
But alas, she has to keep doing her bit because I cannot move a limb when I’m sick.
And Xander is a fast-learning boy, he’ll know things as they come!
Good story! Thanks for sharing!
Aditya
Aditya recently posted…Do You Enjoy Working Hard in Life?
Aditya,
Thank you!
I am starting to think it’s universal for all men to act like I do. I keep hearing that it is very common for men to “not” like being sick. We would all be better off if we just had a way to never get sick…sigh
Aaron
Aaron Brinker recently posted…Who Wants To Be A Cowboy?
The Wife powers through and makes me feel bad. I get sick more rarely, and it usually kicks my butt. I’m either ut for the count for a week, or just really, REALLY, down in the dumps. I’m more your average amount of misery I suppose.
Jason
The Cheeky Daddy
Jason recently posted…Board Games – Taking It Back A Few Years
Jason,
It is so easy for any of us to be a “pain” when we are sick. I try not to be a pain but I generally wind up being one. It seems that this year the “sickness” bug has hit my family worse than in the past. In fact, my son is sick again now. He has had one cold after the next for months….sigh
Aaron
Aaron Brinker recently posted…Talking About Infertility Isn’t Easy – Our Story