Male v. Female differences in stress Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Male v. Female differences in stress - Essay Example While stress is an individual response, it differs across gender. This paper will examine the reasons of difference and the coping strategies in stress in male versus female at workplace. Gender has been defined as the socially learned behaviors and expectations that are associated with the two sexes (Iwasaki, Mackay, & Mactavish, 2005). Thus being a male or a female is a biological phenomenon, being a man or a woman is a cultural process. Gender segregation directs the social relations with others. Under stress the body releases a lot of hormones including cortisol and adrenaline, which raise blood pressure and cholesterol levels and suppress the immune system (Eller, 2000). This puts the stressed people under greater risk ranging from ailments like cold to heart problems. Long term exposure to stress can also lead to weight gain due to cortisol. Research suggests that initially women have the same response to men but gradually women also begin secreting oxytocin from the pituitary glands. This leads to reduction in the levels of cortisol and adrenaline, thereby reducing the damaging effects. While men also secrete oxytocin, the level is much lesser than women. Besi des, testosterone, the male hormone further reduces the impact of oxytocin in men. According to the Law of Stress, stress is the difference between pressure and adaptability of any kind (Dato, ISMA 2001). â€Å"The process of living is the process of having stress imposed on you and reacting to it†(Sarnoff, 1963). A stress produces or threatens to produce alteration in the homeostasis. Stress refers to widespread, generalized responses of the body to various environmental, physical or social situations. It is the force that effects our emotions and motives. It is called the disease of modern civilization. It effects people of all ages and can be both good and bad. Each person reacts differently to stress but we all need some stress in