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Despite all the ways we have to interact with others, people still feel isolated and lone. Loneliness is an increasing problem—so much so that, last year, the government introduced a loneliness strategy and minister for loneliness. We used to talk of the condition in relation to older people but rarely gender. It may come as a surprise then that so many of those affected by loneliness are men.

A recent YouGov survey for Movember, a charity event that raises awareness of men’s health issues, asked men about their friendships and whether they had people outside their homes they could swap their worries with. Half of men asked said they had two or fewer friends and one in eight had none—that’s 2.5 million men with no close friends. Even worse, men’s friendlessness doubles between their early 20s and late middle age.

Isolation can have physical and mental health implications. A 2017 report by the Commission on Loneliness said loneliness is as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Research shows correlation between loneliness and heart disease and strokes, and other studies associate loneliness with depression. However, why are so many men affected? In our latest podcast, psychotherapist Noel Bell says some men feel they have to be self-reliant. Due to widespread social stereotypes(刻板印象), it can be viewed as a sign of weakness for men to admit they have a problem, express their deepest feelings or discuss a serious personal topic.

Perhaps due to the way generations of men have been raised, it is often difficult to recognize feelings of loneliness in the first place. Behavioural differences between boys and girls are not naturally born at birth, they are socialised. Girls are stereotypically seen as more emotional and talkative and so their communicative and expressive skills are more valued than those of boys by parents and teachers, according to researchers.

For some men, having a partner and a family can somewhat shelter them from the negative effects of loneliness—but what if their personal circumstances change? After a relationship breaks down or there is a loss of you beloved, some men find their friends have drifted away and they have no one to talk to. Social media can be beneficial if it leads to interaction in the real world, but online networks are no substitute for face-to-face friendships—the number of likes on your most recent post does not compare with genuine connection.

Social activities such as team sports aren’t for everyone and, if you’re already feeling lonely or isolated, it can be difficult to build the confidence to enter those environments and connect over a shared interest. There is also the danger that some male-dominated social environments encourage drinking alcohol and may not be the right places for those who are feeling the mental health effects of isolation. That said, ‘shoulder to shoulder’ active interactions for men, such as exercise, especially running, are proven to be beneficial. But such activities do not interest all men and this is where psychotherapy(心理疗法) can be of particular use.

Don’t suffer in silence. A psychotherapist is not a friend, nor is therapy a substitute for a meaningful friendship. A therapist will, however, help a client identify what may be creating barriers to them building supportive friendships and determine the factors that may be causing their feelings of isolation. A therapist will work with the client to address their issues, providing a fair, non-judgemental space in which a lonely person can work out what is best for them and how to move towards a more connected and contented life. Bell, a famous therapist, says too many men enter therapy only when a situation has reached crisis point and he encourages men not to bottle up their emotions. “Reflecting on your feelings is healthy and normal,” he says.

1.Who used to be the prime victims of loneliness?

A.Junior students. B.Isolated ministers.

C.Mature men. D.Senior citizens.

2.What does the survey done by YouGov imply?

A.Men tend to expand their social circle after their adolescence.

B.Young and middle-aged male adults suffer more from loneliness.

C.Loneliness remains at the same level despite different ages.

D.Deep friendships are difficult to maintain between the males.

3.According to the Nobel Bell, men’s loneliness is relevant to _______.

A.the fear of dying of heart disease and strokes

B.the depression popular among men of all ages

C.the conventional view on how men should behave

D.their reliance on outside assistance through hardships

4.In terms of social stereotypes, girls are better at _______.

A.gaining sympathy from men B.hiding their true emotions

C.disciplining their own behavior D.interacting with other people

5.Why does the author mention social media in Paragraph 5?

A.To stress the importance of real interaction to men.

B.To introduce a possible way out of loneliness for men.

C.To contradict the belief that men feel lonely online.

D.To illustrate how social media can relieve depression.

6.When might a psychotherapist be of particular use?

A.When there is no substitute for the current therapy.

B.Not until a man is fully conscious of the crisis point?

C.When active interactions fail to attract a lonely man.

D.After a man is excluded from a team of common interests.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题

少年,再来一题如何?
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