The British male is fast becoming an endangered species with the cult of 'laddism' personified by men's magazines contributing to rising suicide rates among young men.
Because men are clinging to outdated ideas of machismo they are reluctant to seek help when things go wrong, according to a study by the Men's Health Forum, an independent health watchdog.
It says that many men in Britain are finding it difficult to adapt to changes in gender roles which will soon lead to more women than men being the main breadwinner in the family.
There is also growing concern that problems such as prostate and testicular cancer are ignored by men until it is too late.
Suicide rates among men aged between 25 and 40 have doubled over the past 25 years despite a growing number of schemes in schools to try to help males deal with mental and other health problems.
The authors of the report believe a macho culture perpetuated by a growing number of magazines targeting young men was partly responsible for the failure of many males to seek help or identify signs of their own poor health.
The publishing phenomena of the so-called 'lad mags' is one that has developed over the past 15 years with a growing number of titles. Typically, the magazines are crammed with features under such headings as '101 ways to drive her wild' alongside articles on fast cars and technical gadgets that few young men can afford.