Table of Contents Bottom of Page

 

Part 2:  Sexual and Reproductive Health Issues of Concern to Aboriginal People


Adults:
Unit 7 — Men and Sexual Health

Be sure to read Part 1 before working on this unit. See these other units for more issues related to men and sexual health:

Unit 1 — Parenting
Unit 3 — Child Sexual Abuse
Unit 4 — Youth Sexuality and Sexual Health
Unit 11 — The Residential School Experience
Unit 12 — Grandparents
Unit 14 — Two-Spirit People and Sexual Diversity
Unit 15 — Family Violence
Unit 16 — Sexual Violence
Unit 17 — HIV/AIDS and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections
Unit 18 — Reproductive Cancers


Introduction

When our societies were land-based, the division of labour was gendered [different for men and women]. Men worked outside the community as hunters and warriors and women within, in the areas of childcare, agriculture, food preparation, and housing. These divisions accommodated the work required for a land-based lifestyle ... It was the men who procured the necessary items which were then turned into food, shelter or clothing.1 (click here for footnote)


Much has changed since all Aboriginal people lived off the land and the water. Some still do live a traditional lifestyle, but most families and communities are no longer completely self-supporting and only a few nations govern themselves. Overall, Aboriginal men adapted well to the changing economy of the Europeans, becoming traders, guides and trappers, in spite of many barriers. The 21st century is an exciting time to be a Métis, Inuit or First Nations man — we are reclaiming many of our traditional lands and starting successful businesses, beginning or continuing our healing journeys, and forming stronger connections to our partners, children, families and communities. It is also a time of struggle as we begin to understand the full effects of the changes we have survived.

For all people, sexual health is closely connected to our personal identity, our roles in society and our feelings of self-worth. Colonization took away men’s roles as providers and protectors, and racism often prevented us from getting jobs or developing businesses that would allow us to be self-supporting providers for our families. For some, addictions and violence have resulted — too many men and boys live with a poor ability to have healthy relationships, to protect our sexual health from HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, and to be free from sexual and physical violence.

As Métis, Inuit and First Nations men, we are beginning to examine how our roles have changed and to look at our own sexual health. Feeling good about ourselves, and the people we love, is important to good health and healthy sexuality. Good sexual health contributes to overall personal well-being, and in turn helps build stronger families and communities.


Métis men are not apt to talk about sex, whereas women are more apt to talk about it ... We are scared to deal with our own issues. You know, as a man you want to be the "tough guy." You know? And that is a real big barrier we have to learn how to get through, especially as younger men. I guess when you get older as a man you become more open and willing to discuss these things. But when you are younger you don’t want to deal with it — you are still invincible.
Métis man from northern Alberta


Sexual Health Issues of Concern to Aboriginal Men

Below are some key issues to address and ways that health care providers and others can support Aboriginal men to improve their sexual health.


Begin to Talk About Ourselves

The most important thing that men can do right now is to begin to talk openly and honestly about ourselves. We need to talk to each other, to our partners, our children, our parents, and to health care providers and Aboriginal leaders. We need to talk about our changing roles, our hopes and fears for our communities and our nations, our past experiences and our needs for the future.


Renewed Involvement with Our Children

In land-based economies, parents and children spend a great deal of time together, teaching and learning, playing and working. Now, as a result of the need to work away from the family, and social and personal problems, many Aboriginal men are more distant from their families. Closeness to our children has been lost, and the whole family, as well as communities, are feeling this loss. Men are important role models for their sons and daughters, as well as important teachers of traditions and values.
In traditional societies, both women and men were instructed, from early ages, about their bodies and about the differences between men and women. Women were well respected in their communities because they were the givers and carriers of life. Boys and men were taught how to respect women by male and female Elders. They were taught the traditional value of respecting children based on Medicine Wheel teachings...2 (click here for footnote)


Service providers can assist Aboriginal men in remaining connected, and in reconnecting with their families, by actively including them in programs from prenatal support to parenting programs and sexuality education sessions. Also, they can encourage young men to question stereotyped gender roles of mothers and fathers, and involve men in the planning and delivery of education and awareness programs.


Pilot coordinator Lerinda says:
Honour and integrity are taken from men when their children are taken away. We should continue to identify men as warriors in the sense of being the protectors of land, women and children. That’s their place in society. Let men know that their power lies in their role as a protector.
Lerinda Swain, Aboriginal Health Program, B.C. Women’s Hospital and Health Services, Vancouver, British Columbia

Cultural Traditions —
The Education of Boys

Mary Coon, a woman of the Cree of Mistassini, relates the story of the education of boys and the Bear Ceremony.

The first lessons happen when the first girl in the home menstruates. The boys are told simply that she is becoming a woman and that they must treat her with the respect that a woman deserves. They learn to be more attentive to all that women do for them.

The Bear Ceremony celebrates the boy becoming a man, because he is a hunter able to bring home enough meat for his family, and he has learned about sharing. During the ceremony, a "godfather" smears the boy’s hair with bear fat to remind him of the Elders’ teachings about hunting and respect for life. Then he smears fat on the rifle to signify that one must only kill enough animals necessary for food. The men talk about their experiences in the woods, and what they have learned. The mother has made and decorated all the cases and bags for the meat, the guns and cartridges. When her son returns, she is there to listen to his hunting stories and to prepare the animal to be eaten. She serves the men the prepared meal. She thanks her son in this way for bringing the food. The balance of give and take between men and women is demonstrated.3 (click here for footnote)


The Effects of Diabetes and Other Illnesses

Diabetes and its related conditions can affect men’s sexual functioning. More than 50 percent of men with diabetes have difficulties with having or maintaining an erection and may have difficulties with ejaculation or orgasm. Long-term smoking can also cause problems with erections. We often think of other conditions, such as high blood pressure and prostate cancer, as diseases of "old men" but they can affect us when we are in our mid-life or younger. It is important for us to get regular health check-ups to prevent illness and to diagnose and treat these conditions early. If we have an illness, we should always ask about what to expect and about side effects of treatments and medications, including any effects on sexual functioning.4 (click here for footnote)


The Long-Term Effects of Violence

Too many Aboriginal men have experienced sexual and physical violence, either as children, youth or adults, in their families or communities, or in residential schools. Being a victim of violence has many direct and hidden effects — addictions, depression, and difficulties in relationships, in parenting, in practising safer sex, etc. In some cases, we become part of the cycle of violence by hurting others. Power and sexuality expressed as violence are harmful to everyone, and active healing through treatment programs, healing ceremonies and health centres is needed.


Healing for Men

Healing from harmful effects of the past begins with the individual deciding it is time and finding help to heal. Support is out there for us including counselling, support groups for men, and treatment centres. Unit 11 — The Residential School Experience describes several community programs supported by the Aboriginal Healing Foundation. Similar opportunities for Aboriginal men exist in many communities and urban centres.



Some Possible Effects, or Indicators, of Past Sexual Abuse

Not all survivors of child sexual abuse clearly remember the abuse they experienced. Here are a few possible signs of forgotten abuse. Others might remember the abuse, and also experience these long-term problems. Treatment can help reduce these effects.

  • Difficulties with sexual functioning such as maintaining an erection (impotence), premature ejaculation, lack of desire, an obsession with sex
  • Difficulties with intimacy, lack of trust in others, "one-night stands" instead of long-term relationships
  • Dependency on or misuse of drugs, alcohol or food
  • Confusion about sexual identity (whether you are gay, straight or bisexual) — while abuse does not determine sexual identity, victims can link the abuse to their sexual identity in their minds. Sometimes this also leads to homophobia which means a fear of gays, lesbians and bisexuals.
  • Self-abuse, re-abuse and abuse of others — if you feel worthless and ashamed because of the abuse, you might hurt yourself, seek out situations where you are re-abused, or abuse others
  • Anxiety, panic attacks, memory blackouts, flashbacks and nightmares
  • Anger
  • Shame
  • Guilt
  • Physical symptoms, such as headaches, choking sensations, blurred vision, pain in the genitals, buttocks or back, might be related to abuse.5 (click here for footnote)


Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea, human papilloma virus (genital warts), hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis and HIV/AIDs can have serious health consequences for a man, his partner and their unborn children if undetected and untreated. You can prevent getting and passing on a sexually transmitted infection by choosing not to have sex, or engaging in low-risk sexual activities or using condoms every time you have sex. Some infections can be cured with antibiotics, while others cannot be cured but they can be controlled. For more information about sexually transmitted infections, or to be tested, you can contact your health clinic or doctor, sexual health clinic, or STD or HIV/AIDS information lines.


Changes Related to Aging

As men age, we go through a more gradual change in hormone levels than women experiencing menopause. Even so, a drop in the level of the testosterone hormone can result in: losing muscle and bone mineral density, gaining body fat, having weaker heart function, and going through emotional and sexual changes. Some men find these changes difficult and worry about impotence or death. It is also important to be aware of the increased risk of prostate and other cancers. We need to talk to our partners, families and friends and to get regular health check-ups.

 

The print version of the Sourcebook also contains information on print, web-based and audio-visual resources, and sample materials on men and sexual health.

 

1  A Recognition of Being: Reconstructing Native Womanhood, Kim Anderson, Second Story Press, Toronto, 2000, p. 59.  (back to paragraph)

2  Healthy Children — Healthy Nations, Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada, Ottawa, 1996, p. 7.   (back to paragraph)

3  Adapted from: Sexuality in the Circle of Life, Quebec Native Women, Montréal, 1998, pp. 47-9.  (back to paragraph)

4  Canadian Diabetes Association, "News Releases," Toronto, October 2001. Available at: www.diabetes.ca/news/oct19-sexualdys.html   (back to paragraph)

5  Adapted from: When Males Have Been Sexually Abused: A Guide for Adult Male Survivors, Family Services of Greater Vancouver, National Clearinghouse on Family Violence, Ottawa, 1994.  (back to paragraph)

 
Table of Contents Top of Page