4 of 23

Write now Article Tools

Why do women cry? Why does anyone cry? It's not too hard to figure out. People have emotions. ALL people. Yes, that means men too. The fact that women tend to cry more often and more openly has to do with the way we are socialized. Western culture says that it is acceptable for women to cry and express their emotions, while men are expected to hide their emotions. That is, except for in the case of anger.

We are led to believe that women are weak, passive and dependent, while men are strong, capable, and aggressive. These are examples of gender stereotypes. The idea that women are more emotional than men is one such stereotype. This does not mean that all women cry constantly. I know many women who rarely cry at all. The idea that men never cry is also a generalization. Some men cry more than a lot of women.

There are only two instances where it is deemed acceptable for men to cry: at funerals or at sporting events. In these situations, they get a free pass. Ever see a football player in tears after winning the big game? Of course, and no one thinks he is feminine for doing so. However, if the same man were to cry at a sad movie, he may be ridiculed and thought to be weak.

It is true that many women tend to be more in touch with their emotions and willing to express them. Their relationships tend to involve more emotional bonds than male relationships, which often are based on the enjoyment of shared activities, such as a particular sport, rather than on emotional attachment. Once again, however, these are only generalizations. They do not apply to everyone and may actually apply to fewer men and women than one would think.

Contrary to popular belief, hormones have very little to do with any of this. However, this issue has been a topic of controversy for years. It's a classic example of the nature vs. nurture argument. Are we socialized to be a certain way or are we genetically predisposed to certain behaviors? There are experts who support both theories, and some people think it is a combination of the two. However, it is true that there are no cold, hard facts to back up the idea that genetic factors are the reason that women are sometimes more emotional than men. And it is certainly not true that women normally have an unstable balance of hormones. And who is to say what is unbalanced anyways? Would they be unbalanced if they varied from male hormones because males are the ideal to which all women are compared? The only statement we can truly make about the hormone issue is that some women do tend to become more openly emotional prior to and during their menstrual cycle.

Studies have been conducted that suggest that men's inability to express their emotions and form meaningful emotional relationships is actually detrimental to their health. Some people believe that this is part of the reason that women generally have a longer life span than men. Studies have linked this to the prevalence of coronary heart disease in older men.

I would just like to say that I'm not an expert on this topic, but I am quite well read. I wish I could remember more particulars of some of the studies and articles I have read, but my mind is going blank at this time. I would like to be able to give you even more information, seeing as several of the other articles shared were way off base. I hope that some others who have knowledge in this area will share and fill in what I left out because it is very important that people are educated about such topics.

Learn more about this author, Marie Gerber.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Why do women cry? ?
We want to hear your view. Write now!