The notion that men are supposed to be caretakers often leads to relationships in which two men support each other.

Social, cultural, and economic factors—such as stigma, racism, homophobia, and high rates of poverty—further compound the risk. These preliminary findings fit with theories regarding the effects of traditional gender role socialization. Altogether, traditional masculine ideals may to some degree amplify the adverse effect that some gay men experience when compared to heterosexual men. However, most of the characteristics that are associated with masculinity and femininity are socially constructed.It isn’t just about what you’re wearing, though, but how: Butchness embodies a certain swagger, a 1950s-inspired “ Rebel Without a Cause” confidence. Shane Kraus, the director of the behavioral addictions clinic at Bedford Veterans Hospital and an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, says the most promising treatment for problematic Grindr use is likely talk therapy techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). At Vox, we believe that clarity is power, and that power shouldn’t only be available to those who can afford to pay. As the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology paper describes, men in all global cultures are inclined toward competitiveness and driven by a need to prove their manhood.

In less pleasant news, BuzzFeed revealed on Monday that Grindr has also been sharing the HIV status of its users with third-party companies. We rarely see butches depicted in or as community … but when you talk to butches, a more nuanced story emerges, one of deep and abiding camaraderie and connection. Those are the striking and potentially controversial findings of a study published in January in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology that may broaden appreciation of the unique stressors faced by gay and bisexual men.The dynamics of Grindr, though, are complicated, and it can take time to work through all the angles.

People are most often assigned male or female at birth based on their external anatomy; some people do not fit into that sex binary and are intersex.

In the HIV-risk article,” Pachankis says, “we repeatedly mention, ‘Why not look at the people gays are actually having sex with as sources of stress?