I've learned that my daughter becomes suicidal when she feels that there's no way out, when she's gotten herself in a double bind and can't express the anger.
Double bind
is a psychology term for "being caught between a rock and a hard place." I think something like a double bind is experienced by young men who feel a heavy pressure not to show their feelings in order to fit into the macho role. This is a double bind because they do have feelings. Feeling down and blue is not macho. Boys need as much help as girls in learning how to express their feelings and value their true selves.
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In the following journal entry, a man reflects on the pressure on young men to fit the macho role, to be sexual, even if it goes against other feelings:
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 | | It is 1964, and I am sitting in the back seat of a rusted, '56 Ford. Mickey is driving the car down Euclid Avenue, the red light district, and Frank is sitting in front with his arm cocked out the open window. They are two years older, initiating me into the world of sex and prostitution. Frank passes around a can of Stroh's beer. They urge me to relax, but I'm scared and stare out the window.
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| | Finally, Mickey passes a woman he likes, hollers, "That one," and circles around the block until we pull up to the curb behind her.
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| | The woman approaches. She wears a short red miniskirt and her blouse is unbuttoned enough to see that she's braless as she leans over to look
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