'Why do women live longer than men' Does the answer lie in biology, nutrition, psychology or sociology - Essay Example

?Health Sciences and Medicine ‘Why Do Women Live Longer Than Men?’ Does The Answer Lie In Biology, Nutrition, Psychology Or Sociology? Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Discussion 4 Biological Factors 4 Nutritional Value 5 Psychological Factors 7 Social Factors 8 Conclusion 9 References 10 Introduction Life is a self-sustaining process that depends on several factors, among which few are controllable to humans while others are not. Correlation existing between genders and life-span is also affected significantly by the controllable characteristics of self-sustenance. Consequentially, a matter of high interest persists amid theorists and sociologists as well, concerning the variance in life-span of women and men. As often allegedly remarked, women are supposed to live longer than men. Projected reports also reveal that by the year 2050, the difference in the age between the genders will increase by 4.8 years that apparently reflects upon the variances persisting within the life span of women and that enjoyed by men (Eskes & Haanen, 2007). It has thus been widely argued that high mortality amid men as compared to women is primarily owing to cardiovascular disease. Moreover, it is observed that women are biologically stronger and have high nutritional values than men (Eskes & Haanen, 2007). Hence, it can be comprehended that the reason as to ‘why women live more than men’ may have many logical facts and relevant contradictions. Thus, this paper will aim at assessing the reasons women have a greater life span in comparison to men. Correspondingly, an insight on the biological, nutritional, psychological and sociological aspects that tend to influence the life span of the gender groups and their better lifestyle will also be taken into account in this study. Discussion Biological Factors Life of humans depends on biological factors to a major extent. To be noted, biological factors are often observed to affect the immune system of individuals, which in turn differ from person to person in general. It is owing to the reason that the immune system that defends the body from external diseases and infection, are found to be different in every individual. Hence, scientific studies have often argued that a probable cause for women living more than men can be related to their immune system to be better than men. Experimental results have further depicted that with age, the immunity cells begin to decline at different rates in women and men. Notably, the T cells and the B Cells, which help to protect human body from diseases, decrease in men at a rapid pace than in women. Hence, the immunity power of women is deemed to be more even at an old age as compared to men. This further increases mortality among men than women (Briggs, 2013). As the body of men weakens with passing years, a high probability that they will be affected by more diseases may persist, which is further quite likely to result in shortening their lives in respect to women. It is an evidential fact that men have a high probability to heart attack in their early 40’s, whereas women tend to face greater propensity of heart attacks in their latter part of life (Perls & Fretts, n.d.). Moreover it is suspected that the mortality pattern of the gender partially depends on sex hormones such as testosterone in males and estrogen hormone in females. Consequentially, with the increase in the secretion of the testosterone hormone, men biologically put their life into risk. This may also lead to blood level increase of the ‘bad cholesterol’, which increases the chances of heart attack in men. On the other hand, estrogen secretion has a beneficial effect on the cardiac system of women, minimizing the chances of heart disease as it provides oxygen to the body. Estrogen also forms antioxidants, which means it neutralizes the natural reactive chemicals and actually reduces the risk of death in women by minimising the propensity of heart attacks. It also helps to maintain the oxygen level in the body with age and hence reduces the risk of death. This hormone helps in stimulating longevity in the life span of women (Perls & Fretts, n.d.). Another possible reason for the longevity in the life span of women is because of the fact that they have two ‘X- chromosomes’, while men have only one. In women, cells can possibly be protected by a proper variation on the second X chromosome. This also helps to increase the life of women in comparison to men. Hence, it can be inferred that the genetic level of difference in chromosomes has an added advantage on the life of the women (Blue, 2013; Austad, 2006). Additionally men have the tendency to consume more food, which inclines to increase the cholesterol level in the body. The regular smoking and drinking habit in few men also tend to affect their body, which in due course, hinders their immunity power, whereas the health conscious habits of majority of women as well as their less smoking frequency helps in fostering their long life. In this context, it can be noted that majority of women have healthier habits than men, which assists them to live long (Mitchell, 2012). Nutritional Value Scientists have often argued that proper nutrition is important to have a longer and healthier life. The need for proper balanced diet is sensed in every individual for life with lesser risk of diseases and malnutrition. Women plan their diet in a very efficient manner and hence they try to compensate the loss of nutritional values through a proper balanced diet. Contextually, the loss of iron is more in women and so they need to have a proper intake of food to suffice their iron deficiency. As argued by Eaton & Konner (2012), women being more health conscious, understand their body need and suffice the need by having proper food. Thus, it can be affirmed that the food habits of both the gender too have an important role in the life cycle. It is in this regard that healthy food habits should be the key to better life and to increase the life cycle of a person (Eaton & Konner, 2012). In this context, it is evident that women, on an average, have a better food habit in comparison to men. On the other hand, men, on an average, tend to decipher lesser care towards their nutritional values, which do not suffice the need of their body. This further leads to the increased propensity of diseases in men resulting in their death. Moreover, intake of vitamin B in women increases their lifelong energy and also the protein metabolism, which contributes to their longer life. In this regard, it should be noticed that a female body needs more calcium and iron in order to have a healthy growth than men. The knowledge of these facts about the need of their body encourages women to render special attention towards their health. This extra effort is taken by women and not by the men in general and hence, results in the variance observed when comparing the mortality rate of men with that of women (Kennedy, 2006). Based on a similar context, Weil (2012) further argued that women generally tend to have stable disease which neither upsurges nor decreases with time, whereas men are mainly affected to more chronic diseases. Psychological Factors When addressing the psychological factors contributing to such variances in the life span of women and men, a substantial difference between the lifestyle choices of these genders can be observed. Especially, concerning the way they tend to keep themselves happier even at the time of stress. It is observed that women deal with stress much calmly than men, who generally tend to show aggression in sorting stressful situations. This aggression effects the biological cycle of the men and thus reduce their lifespan to a certain extent. Women are more expressive when presenting their feelings and emotions than men; they tend to keep their feelings within themselves, which makes them dull and depressed. Moreover, when a romantic relationship ends, as often observed in the modern society, women tend to have more sources of intimacy to keep their company, but men, on the other hand, lack support at the demanded rate and hence, are often observed to suffer from situational stress that further creates an adverse effect on their health (World Life Expectancy, n.d.). Friendships also have a deep effect on the health of men and women, directly influencing the psychological stage. It is in this context that loneliness often tends to cause psychological pressures on men and women, which in turn affects their physical well-being to a great extent. A survey conducted by World Life Expectancy (n.d.) reported that people who are lonely face greater tendency of mortality, as they tend to lack in dealing with stress. Reports further reveal that men tend to have greater tendency to live a lonely life with minimum intervention from others. It is owing to this reason that married men, as they rely more heavily on their wives and family members live longer and healthier than bachelors or widowers (World Life Expectancy, n.d.). Moreover, during the time of depression women are observed to cope up with the situation in a very mature manner resulting in appositive effect on them; but men, on the contrary, often lack in dealing with the situation in a productive way. They get frustrated and highly aggressive, which in turn tend to increase their hormone secretion creating a negative impact on their health. Moreover, men are observed to decipher greater tendency of committing suicides, owing to the fact that men value the need for independence more than women and avoid taking any help as they often deem it to be a sign of weakness. Women, on the other hand, have control over their thought process and do not mind to take assistance in times of necessity (Murphy, 1998). Additionally, women are less probable than men to involve in self-destructive activities, as they demonstrate a stronger mind-set, than men. Women are also observed to be less impulsive than men and restrain from easily reacting on impulsive basis. However, the impulsive nature of men often inclines them to take wrong decisions, hence affecting their life span to a great extent (Murphy, 1998). Social Factors In the social aspect of life, men are more exposed to violence and stress as compared to women. Young men, being more enthusiastic and fun loving because of adrenaline rush, often tend to enjoy their life to the fullest without taking any safety measures. Their enthusiasm and their over excitement lead to adrenal rush and hence, the chances of committing accidents are more evident within men. Whereas women too enjoy their life and are enthusiastic like the men, but they have the sense of maturity which helps them to keep their nerves calm and work with precautions. It is worth mentioning in this context that men, in their teens, experience "testosterone storm" when the levels of hormone become quite high and unpredictable, which can tempt them to relatively dangerous behaviour. For example, boys are often observed to disregard wearing their seatbelts when driving; they try enjoying alcohol and other substances more frequently than girls and often become aggressive. These behaviours lead to a higher rate of death in the male populaces. Moreover, the work pressures faced by both the genders are imposing an immense influence in today’s world. In the corporate world the work pressure faced by both the genders are equal but women are found to obtain benefits on several grounds as compared to men that in turn reduces the pressure experienced by women at work. They get various facilities as compared to men, including the materiality leaves, health care benefits and other employment safety assurances that prove beneficial for women be psychologically and socially stronger (Kirkwood, n.d.). Conclusion From the above discussion it is evident that women tend to have a greater life span with lesser probability of mortality than men. Women have few advantages over men on the basis of biological growth consisting genetic factors such as chromosomes and hormones. Women also decipher a more conscious behaviour towards their life in comparison to men; for instance, they are more health conscious and know what is good for their life span. They are aware about their health; they understand their body along with its nutritional needs and hence tend to fulfil those requirements through their better food habit. Moreover, this paper reveals the fact that women are emotionally stronger than men even if they are physically weaker. Thus, based on the above discussion, it can be affirmed that biology, nutrition, psychology and sociology do play a significant role in determining the variances in the life span enjoyed by women and that enjoyed by men. References Austad, N.S., 2006. Why Women Live Longer Than Men: Sex Differences in Longevity. Gender Medicine/Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 79–92. Briggs, H., 2013. Biological Clue To Why Women Live Longer Than Men. BBC News Health. [Online] Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22528388 [Accessed September 29, 2013]. Blue, L., 2008. Why Do Women Live Longer Than Men? Article. [Online] Available at: http://content.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1827162,00.html [Accessed September 29, 2013]. Eskes, T. & Haanen, C., 2007. Why Do Women Live Longer Than Men? European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Reproductive Biology 133 (2007) 126–133. Eaton, B.S. & Konner, M., 2012. Palaeolithic Nutrition. A Consideration of Its Nature and Current Implications, Vol. 312. No.5 Pp. 283-285. Kennedy, T.E., 2006. Evidence for Nutritional Benefits in Prolonging Wellness. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, pp. 410-413. Kirkwood, T., No Date. Why Women Live Longer. Scientific American. [Online] Available at: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-women-live-longer [Accessed September 29, 2013]. Mitchell, H., 2012. Why Women Live Longer than Men. Unsw Medicine. [Online] Available at: http://cheba.unsw.edu.au [Accessed September 29, 2013]. Murphy, E.G., 1998. Why Women Are Less Likely Than Men to Commit Suicide. Comprehensive Psychiatry, Vol. 39, No. 4. : pp. 165-175. Perls, T.T. & Fretts, C.R., No Date. Why Women Live Longer than Men. Longevity. [Online] Available at: http://jerrymondo.tripod.com/lgev/id2.html [Accessed September 29, 2013]. World Life Expectancy, No Date. Why Women Live Longer than Men. Live Longer Live Better. [Online] Available at: http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/why-woman-live-longer-than-men [Accessed September 29, 2013]. Weil, A., 2012. Why Women Live Longer than Men. Library. [Online] Available at: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA401207/Why-Do-Women-Live-Longer-than-Men.html [Accessed September 29, 2013]. Read More