Because they live, on average, six years longer than men, most women will spend the last years of their lives alone. Biologically, women are the stronger sex, but the six-year difference in longevity has less to do with biology than with lifestyle. Why Women Bury Men looks at the risk factors for the leading causes of death in Canada–smoking, heavy drinking, over-eating, and careless driving–and finds men are over-represented. Socialized to be risk-takers, men make lifestyle choices that lead to premature death and take away precious years of active life gained with each new generation.
News & Reviews
“Murphy’s examination of the longevity gap is at the same time thoroughly documented, tightly argued and tersely presented.” —Winnipeg Free Press
About the Author
Barbara Murphy was born in Winnipeg. She graduated from McGill University and moved to Ottawa, where she worked for the Children’s Aid Society and as director of day care services. While a full-time working mom, she pursued post-graduate studies as a part-time student at Carleton University and obtained an M.A. in Sociology and M.SW. She taught courses in social policy and worked as a social policy consultant. Her books Why Women Bury Men: The Longevity Gap in Canada, The Ugly Canadian: The Rise and Fall of a Caring Society, On the Street: How We Created the Homeless, and Eating the Wedding Gifts: Lean Years After Marriage Break-Up explore issues that affect the social structure of Canadian society. Barbara Murphy died in 2019.
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