#Masculinity

A man who claims to have “slept with 1,000 women” has made headlines by publicly expressing regret over his past lifestyle, citing significant negative impacts on his mental health. The candid admission, which has sparked widespread debate on social media and within health circles, highlights the often-overlooked psychological consequences linked to compulsive sexual behavior, particularly among men navigating cultural and social expectations.

The individual, whose personal story was reported in LADbible and has since gone viral, described his former approach to relationships as being driven by the pursuit of numbers rather than genuine connection. While this so-called “playboy lifestyle” is often celebrated or idealized in popular media, especially for men, his experience has exposed the hollow aftermath, including feelings of emptiness, loneliness, and persistent anxiety.

A former self-described “playboy” who claims to have slept with about 1,000 partners has publicly expressed remorse, stating that the lifestyle harmed his mental well-being. The confession, initially reported by LADbible, shifts from sensationalism to a broader discussion about the psychological costs of compulsive sexual behavior, particularly for men facing cultural expectations in Thailand.

The narrative moves beyond sensational numbers to examine how the chase for sexual conquest can mask deeper issues. The man says his past approach prioritized tallying encounters over genuine connection. While the “playboy” image can be glamorized, his experience reveals feelings of emptiness, loneliness, and anxiety that linger in daily life.

A groundbreaking study published in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging has revealed that testosterone significantly increases men’s sensitivity to social feedback, reshaping how they experience moment-to-moment self-esteem. The findings promise fresh insights for understanding self-worth, mental health, and social behavior, with potential implications for treatment approaches that resonate in Thai society and beyond (psypost.org).

A team of international scientists set out to unpack testosterone’s intricate role in influencing not just the overall sense of self-worth—what psychologists call “trait self-esteem”—but the more fleeting, variable feelings of self-value known as “state self-esteem.” The research matters deeply for Thai readers, as cultural norms around masculinity, social acceptance, and mental health coverage intersect with emerging scientific understanding, and because mental health struggles linked to low self-esteem, especially among young men, are increasingly noted across Thailand (WHO).

A new study in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging shows that testosterone makes young men more responsive to social feedback. Positive reactions boost self-esteem more, while negative feedback causes sharper declines. The research highlights how biology and social context interact to shape mood and behavior, with potential relevance for mental health strategies in Thailand.

Researchers recruited 120 healthy men aged 18–26 in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. After applying testosterone gel or a placebo, participants waited to reach peak hormone levels and then completed a realistic social-evaluation task. They crafted profiles that 184 supposed strangers would review, receiving a mix of approval, disapproval, and neutral feedback. In reality, feedback was pre-programmed to test responses to different social signals.

A growing body of research investigated in a recent article in The Atlantic challenges conventional wisdom about how boys should be raised, revealing that gendered parenting and cultural expectations may be holding back the emotional and developmental well-being of boys. These findings carry special significance for parents and educators in Thailand, where traditional models of masculinity often shape family and school life.

In societies around the world, including Thailand, the prevailing narrative says that boys must be tough, stoic, and emotionally restrained to succeed in life. This perspective, fueled by generations of social customs and amplified by contemporary social media influencers as well as political rhetoric, encourages boys to suppress feelings in favor of physical strength and competition. However, new studies suggest that such approaches run counter to boys’ actual developmental needs and may have long-term negative effects, not just for the boys themselves but for wider society as well.

A wave of recent research summarized in a major national publication questions long-held ideas about raising boys. The findings suggest that traditional expectations of male toughness and emotional restraint may hinder boys’ emotional health and overall development. For Thai parents and educators, the implications are significant as family life and schools continue to shape young people’s growth.

Globally, including Thailand, the prevailing view has been that boys must be strong, stoic, and less expressive to succeed. This mindset is reinforced by cultural norms, social media, and political rhetoric, which can lead boys to suppress feelings in favor of competition and achievement. New studies, however, indicate such approaches may misalign with boys’ developmental needs and could carry long-term costs for individuals and society.

A recent surge in psychological and sociological research has ignited debate about how families should raise boys, with new findings showing that affectionate, patient, and emotionally engaged parenting is just as crucial for sons as it is for daughters—even more so, in some cases. This growing body of evidence, highlighted in a recent Atlantic feature, challenges long-held beliefs about masculinity, toughness, and what boys truly need to thrive, both in Western contexts and, importantly, for parents and educators across Thailand grappling with similar generational pressures.

A growing body of psychological and sociological research suggests that affectionate, patient, and emotionally engaged parenting matters just as much for boys as for girls—sometimes even more for boys’ emotional health. New findings challenge traditional ideas of masculinity and show that early nurturing shapes outcomes in education, behavior, and mental well-being. This is especially relevant for Thai parents and educators navigating changing family dynamics and modern pressures.

Long-standing ideas about raising boys to be “tough” can overlook their emotional needs. Global studies indicate that parents often talk, read, and sing more to daughters and feel closer to them in early childhood. When fathers and mothers have limited time or emotional bandwidth for boys, boys may miss opportunities to develop healthy emotion regulation. Such patterns can contribute to later behavioral and mental health challenges.