The average Aussie male

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October 2005

The average Aussie male

Les Whittle is developing a ministry with men’s groups. Here he offers some interesting ideas to get readers thinking.

There are some interesting things about the average Australian bloke that you may not know. For instance:

Did you know that the average bloke:

Sleeps 8.4 hours a night

Brushes teeth 1.9 times a day

Has 100,000 visible hairs on his head

Eats pizza twice a month

Eats less than 1 serve of fruit a day

Drinks 2 cans of coke a week

Exercises 1.5 times per week

Can throw a cricket ball 50 metres (international cricketer can throw 80 metres)

Is concerned about his changing role in the family, as a dad, at work, in the community?

When men read this, do they find themselves to be average? Do we know an ‘average’ man? Most unlikely.

The diversity of men that results in a statistical average is very wide. The same diversity applies to all groupings of people; whether by gender, politics, faith or employment. However, there are some significant similarities about how men tend to approach an issue – collectively, men have a very logical approach to problem solving.

Let’s look at a series of dichotomies. They are compelling, worth consideration and they are debatable!

Rational v. Emotional: Men are above emotions

This view grows from an observable number of men who keep their emotions hidden, who have difficulty expressing those things called feelings, who cannot readily say ‘I love you’, who see the concrete answer only, who feel embarrassed to show fear or softness, who have never had a significant male (other than a losing AFL coach on grand final day) who expressed non-aggressive behaviours.

Universal v. Particular: Men look for universal truths which is more attractive than any one-to-one experience.

Mind v Body: Men are completely cut off from their body, ‘I can tough it out’.

Separate v. Connected: Idea of standing alone is appealing to men.

Person v. Self: Man is on guard against himself, ready to be in control. Has a readily available answer to a problem, therefore anger is the only acceptable expression of emotion – all other emotions are weaknesses

Can we validate these dichotomies? How do these dichotomies appear for women?

I have sometimes asked men (especially when they hold a strong male-centric view of life) to list 10 things they like about women. The first couple of points are usually the same, but to complete 10 points can often move us in to seldom-charted waters.

Les Whittle is the Diocesan Director of Professional Standards.

	The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search
	a healthy church...transformingLIFE
	Home About Contact us News Issues Parishes Prayer Calendar Youth Resources

				October 2005

		The average Aussie male Les Whittle is developing a ministry with men’s groups. Here he offers some interesting ideas to get readers thinking. There are some interesting things about the average Australian bloke that you may not know. For instance: Did you know that the average bloke: Sleeps 8.4 hours a night Brushes teeth 1.9 times a day Has 100,000 visible hairs on his head Eats pizza twice a month Eats less than 1 serve of fruit a day Drinks 2 cans of coke a week Exercises 1.5 times per week Can throw a cricket ball 50 metres (international cricketer can throw 80 metres) Is concerned about his changing role in the family, as a dad, at work, in the community? When men read this, do they find themselves to be average? Do we know an ‘average’ man? Most unlikely. The diversity of men that results in a statistical average is very wide. The same diversity applies to all groupings of people; whether by gender, politics, faith or employment. However, there are some significant similarities about how men tend to approach an issue – collectively, men have a very logical approach to problem solving. Let’s look at a series of dichotomies. They are compelling, worth consideration and they are debatable! Rational v. Emotional: Men are above emotions This view grows from an observable number of men who keep their emotions hidden, who have difficulty expressing those things called feelings, who cannot readily say ‘I love you’, who see the concrete answer only, who feel embarrassed to show fear or softness, who have never had a significant male (other than a losing AFL coach on grand final day) who expressed non-aggressive behaviours. Universal v. Particular: Men look for universal truths which is more attractive than any one-to-one experience. Mind v Body: Men are completely cut off from their body, ‘I can tough it out’. Separate v. Connected: Idea of standing alone is appealing to men. Person v. Self: Man is on guard against himself, ready to be in control. Has a readily available answer to a problem, therefore anger is the only acceptable expression of emotion – all other emotions are weaknesses Can we validate these dichotomies? How do these dichotomies appear for women? I have sometimes asked men (especially when they hold a strong male-centric view of life) to list 10 things they like about women. The first couple of points are usually the same, but to complete 10 points can often move us in to seldom-charted waters. Les Whittle is the Diocesan Director of Professional Standards.