New research from men’s health brand Stud 100 has found that ‘male banter’ is hurting 39% of men’s confidence and wellbeing and comedian Blake Freeman is giving Aussies the ultimate comeback lines to protect against the ‘casual jibes’.
Despite the study showing that the majority of men admit to feeling upset, just 52% would tell their mates if their jokes had gone too far. As a result, two thirds of men would not openly talk about insecurities that are often the subject of these jibes, with friends.
When asked about the common health issues and subsequent jibes which were most upsetting, sexual performance (65%) came out on top, including premature ejaculation (24%). Interestingly, men who cited the latter as their number one most sensitive taboo are also more likely to feel embarrassed seeking health advice from a pharmacist (61% vs. a national average of 49%).
Additionally, when asked if ‘nothing would stop me from seeking help for a sexual health problem’, the same segment of respondents was 10% less likely to agree (11% vs. a national average of 22%).
In fact, Aussie men are so uncomfortable talking about their sexual performance, that one in four would rather go on a four-hour tour of a paper-making factory, one in six would watch paint dry for 12 hours and 19% would volunteer to live with their in-laws for a week, than have to confide in someone.
When asked where men turn to for support for a sexual health problem, 74% would not discuss this type of problem with their friends and only half of men (48%) would turn to a healthcare professional.
Of most concern, is the one in five (21%) that would never talk about their sexual health problems with anyone – even a medical professional.
To help protect men’s mental wellbeing and confidence, Stud 100 has collaborated with comedian Blake Freeman to develop the best comeback lines to common jibes, in a bid to minimise emotional impact and ‘perform’ better when bantering with their mates.
“We want to give men the tools to protect their wellbeing and performance – whether fending off hurtful jibes in front of their mates or in more intimate and highly personal settings – to help with the concerns men have that they don’t talk about or seek support for,” a spokesperson for Key Pharmaceuticals says.
“Our research shows this excessive ‘banter culture’ is actually contributing to men’s insecurities and stopping them from opening up and seeking help for their concerns. We hope this campaign and our products will play a part in helping men stand up and speak up when they don’t like something or need support.”
Award winning Melbourne comedian, Blake, has created his series one-line comebacks to equip and inspire men to come out on top when being the subject of a joke. The hope is that, by having the last laugh, men who are more insecure or have a genuine condition that worries them will gain more confidence in standing up for themselves; and in turn, consider other methods of support to address their concerns.
“I have been an offender of making fun of my friends without considering how my jokes may hurt them or play on an insecurity I’m not aware of,” Blake says.
“It’s time I became part of the solution to help raise awareness of how we could all be playing a part in a bigger issue around male confidence and insecurity. There are many powerful tools men can turn to for support, humour is one of them!”
