Make Ben Bradshaw unemployed

A total wanker, yesterday

No, Mr Bradshaw, unemployment is not good for men’s health. Unemployment may allow men to go and see their doctor more often. This access may or may not do them any good medically.

But men are far better off not being at their doctors in the first place. Men don’t like seeing their doctors, and there are many good reasons for this. Hanging around doctors is a dangerous game, and should only be done if the likelihood of illness is significant, and makes accepting the risks of unpleasant tests and treatments worthwhile.

Men are healthier when they have a job, when they have something to get up and DO in the morning, when they have a structure and purpose to their lives. They might moan about stress and being too busy, and sore joints, but just you see how stressed they get when they have nothing to do, no mates to talk with or about, after the garden is perfect, and each blade of grass exactly 1.25 inches tall. They get bored. They get fed up. They get under the wife’s feet. They get grumpy. They squabble. They get depressed. They lose hope. They get ill. They drink too much. They lose income. They become poor. Their relationships break down. Some of them abandon hope and commit suicide.

This recession will put a significant strain on people’s health and wealth, and will not be good for our individual and public health. A few counsellors going “there, there” will not make it all better. And however we put it the country is close to bankrupt, and no amount of cognitive behavioural therapy will make this reality any more palatable for any of us.

Being out of work does nothing for men’s health. We hope Mr Bradshaw finds out this truth at the next election.