Here is this month’s guest blog from my young cousin and Social Work graduate student Brandon Garrick. Brandon does often write about underserved communities, but we also need to remember that even though collectively men have the majority of power and standing in our culture, they also do face critical issues.

Thanks to Brandon, this is my first time hearing about “Movember,” an annual event involving the growing of mustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide. “Mo” is an Australian – English diminutive word for moustache (UK spelling), making Movember a clever joining of “Mo” to the month of November. The history of this movement and the associated foundation is quite fascinating. Link to extensive wikipedia article about Movember.

* * * * *

As a social work graduate student, I care about all forms of social injustice and oppression that any individual may face. In today’s society, we often forget that regardless of identity, we can all face challenges in our lives. We get easily fall into this ideology that men, as the privileged beings in today’s society, don’t face issues as women do. However, there are indeed certain issues that dramatically impact men.

November is a month that you can highlight the areas where men are struggling. Movember is a friendly occurrence where men will grow a mustache unshaven throughout the month. I will be participating this year and will grow out a mustache. You can email me ([email protected]) if you want see what the final result looks like. Anyway, here are five issues where men are really struggling in today’s society:

1. Men are more likely to be killed at work. This is a issue that can be the result of different career choices. However, it must be noted that a safer workplace environment for both genders is essential.

2. Men are more prone to heart disease.

3. Men have a higher chance to be attacked or killed then women. Men make up almost 70 percent of murder victims.

4. According to a recent study (link) from a professor at the University of Michigan, men on average receive a 63 percent longer prison sentence then women for identical crimes.

5. Men commit suicide more often, at a staggering rate of 3.53 times that of women.

As a society, we do have to realize that all of us can face different critical issues and we should all be supportive of each other and search for solutions to all problems impacting any of us.

* * * * *

Brandon Garrick is my second cousin who I enjoy spending a lot if time with. He recently completed his Bachelor of Sociology at North Carolina State University, and has now entered their Master’s Program of Social Work. He worked full time at North Carolina’s Central Prison as a corrections officer while completing his bachelor’s degree, and has a deep concern about the many social issues facing our nation and the world. He will now be a regular guest blogger discussing these various issues.