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Clutch Magazine has unearthed a new study, which finds that black men are more likely to suffer from depression as they experience greater economic success. This is shocking news in a society that equates money with happiness. But it seems that not even greater wealth can magically erase the emotional harm caused by the increased exposure to racism that career growth can bring. Clutch writer Leslie Pitterson states on the subject:
The hard times have affected all of us, but the recession has really taken a toll on black men -- even the ones you wouldn't expect.
More prone to be negatively affected by the downswing in the economy, black men are experiencing levels of joblessness not seen since decades past. When the unemployment rate among black men reached 16.7% in 2010, some compared their experience to the great depression.
With more and more African American men losing their jobs, new research from the National Survey of American Life showing poor Black men at high risk for depression does not come as much of a shock. But what is raising many eyebrows is the survey's other notable finding: affluent black men are at higher risk for depression than those on the other end of the income spectrum.
According to the recent survey, black males who earn $80,000 and more were more likely to report symptoms of depression than those who made $17,000 and below. Besides proving that every baller doesn't look as gleeful as Dipset's Jim Jones, the study gives new insights into black men's measurements of wealth and emotional well being.
Darryl Hudson, PhD at the Center on Social Disparities in Health at the University of San Francisco said that the depression in affluent black men could be linked to the stress of "integrated environments" where they are "more likely to be exposed to racial discrimination." However, he cautions that the issue is less abut blame than complexity, saying:
"African-Americans with greater socioeconomic resources are farther away from their social support network, both physically and socially."
Read more about these surprising findings on Clutch Magazine Online.
This type of social isolation is something that blacks of both genders experience as they climb the corporate ladder. Perhaps black women are able to deal with it better, as in general women naturally create support networks and share their feelings. This gives those who are exposed to harsh business climates more of an outlet for disturbed emotions. Hopefully, black men who have been successful will soon learn to create the deeper connections they need independently, and make treating the wounds inflicted through achievement a priority.
Support can be found in numerous black professional organizations, by joining African American alumnae groups, through church and political organizations, and among other black men who are informal peers. Some groups African American men can join include:
-The National Black MBA Association
-National Conference of Black Lawyers
-BDPA (Black Data Processors Association)
-National Society of Black Engineers
-National Society of Black Physicists
-Association of Black Health-System Pharmacists
-National Association of Black Accountants
-The Association of Black Psychologist
-The National Forum for Black Public Administrators
-The National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers
In the age of the Internet, if you need social support, there is an easily accessible network that can help you get it. Ubiquitous sites like Facebook make it easy to start your own. The important thing is for our black men to take action and get the support they need, if they don't find the necessary understanding among current friends and family.
This study shows that the time is now for black male professionals to take their emotional lives as seriously as their careers, even if it seems embarrassing. We need our successful black men to remain healthy and find positive ways of unleashing the pent up frustrations that come from navigating a difficult world. The assets, both emotional and financial, that stable black professionals bring to their families and communities are an important key to solving many of our persistent social problems.
But clearly, we see once again that money isn't everything. People and connections matter as much as cash. This reports makes me hope that this is a lesson all communities learn.
Comments: (40)
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By: Emma on 3/09/2011 5:31PM
This article is misleading. Our brothers are not that way. It's the weak wheat men that are...
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By: Deanna Jameson on 3/09/2011 6:28PM
Those black men in Corporate America making $80,000 or more? Yes, I can believe it because they sell out. I don't mean that in a negative way, but they have to give up part of who they are and lose some of their identity just to get that paycheck and kick it with with "Tom and 'em". They can no longer identify with their "boys" so their social circles are small (or all white). Then they find out just how "black" they really are when stuff hits the fan, and they are usually the first one fired. That is a huge price to pay just to "make it." But Black men that own their own business and calling their own shots don't go have this same problem. Moral of the story here is stop depending on white folks for your livelihood.
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By: Greg on 3/09/2011 7:00PM
You don't mean that in a negative way? Sounds pretty negative to me! So, why didn't you delete it? And, BW don't and aren't having to do the very same thing, in that process? Double standards again? You can't say what their social circles are, or aren't nor what they consist of either! That's just ridiculous to even make such ignorant assertions! Does, your same formula also apply to BW as well?
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By: Deanna Jameson on 3/09/2011 7:53PM
@Greg-you can say and believe what you want. But to answer your question as to the double standard, the answer to that is SOMEWHAT but not like men. Men tie a lot of their identity with the money they have the bank, we don't. Also, there are more BW at the top than there are BM, so there's more of a support system both professionally and socially. That is not to say that women don't have to sell out somewhat just to make it, because we do. None of can be too black, too proud, too strong, or dress too ethnically or else you will get brought down a few notches. The whole corporate culture oftentimes goes against the grain of a lot of ethnic groups, especially for us and there are negative psychological affects, including depression, that comes with "making it". But I think these negatives effect men more than women.
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By: Justifyed on 3/09/2011 8:15PM
Deanna, you will realize soon enough that Greg is a black gay man, who will use any oppty and any blog title to make a negative comment about black women. You have already offended him, by obviously being more intelligent, but keep an eye on his comments, he will be calling myself, you, or another BW out of their name before it is all said and done.
It's so sad, that he hates us so much but at the same time, spends so much of his time talking about us.
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By: Greg on 3/09/2011 8:51PM
To; Justifyed
Here you go again!..lol Any man of any race that doesn't want to be with a BW, nor consider the majority attractive...(which is the case) are always targets for their usual foolishness, and childish name calling from BW here by alledging that I'm gay...lol! You're just upset, because i don't BW! But, what you "still" don't understand yet is that your immature behavior only continues to reinforce, and validates my position. So, please by all means continue to show the world to what lengths you'll go to and make yourselves that much more pathetic. That's also the prevailing fact why no one is marrying BW.
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By: Justifyed on 3/09/2011 11:41PM
@ Greg, stop throwing yourself at me...stop it! ROLFMAO
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By: Nai on 3/09/2011 7:05PM
You can make over $80,000 a year. There are lots of us single women who are headed that way this year. I am one of them. I work from home and enjoy all the good things in life. I am training my three children to do the same. You must seek and you can find what to do you like to make that kind of income. I am a person that like money to come easily and quickly without having to be under any pressure. I work each day of the week but I love working for myself. I still do lunch with friends and family. I love children and especially my own. My children work hard around the home so they can be reward very good in this life. We are blessed, successful, and very humble about our reward and birthright blessings. We are happy. We are free. We love everyone. We are christians. We help anyone. We love life that only I savior has given us. We do what we want when we want to do it. We are thankful. If you would like to know more about what we do, email us at naydes12@comcast.net
Thanks and Be blessed,
Nai
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By: Tiff on 3/12/2011 2:59PM
Doesn't this go for all men who make over that amount of money?
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By: Greg on 3/09/2011 8:09PM
To:Deanna Jameson
You're sadly attempting to tell me that women don't also tie themselves to how much money that they have in their bank accounts? Get real! That's complete, and utter nonsense! I hear BW in particular all the time talking about how much money that have I the bank! I personally think that the majority are lying to tell the truth, and that's just the usual "look at me I'm somebody mentality"! So, now the truth finally emerges!...lol More BW on top than BM...lol So, that's what this entire thread is all about, as usual BW again attempting to denigrate the success of BM...again. You're exposed.lol..lol
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