“Boys don’t cry” myth busted!
Traditional masculine ideology includes some deep-rooted societal, gender-based stereotypes regarding emotional behaviors – like the popular “boys don’t cry” myth. However, new research suggests that men actually weep more than women.
A study of 2,004 Americans, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Vida Health, found that men cry on average about four times a month, while women cry about three times a month. That’s 48 times a year for men and only 36 for women.
What’s also interesting is that the stereotype that men don’t seek professional help for their mental health also seems inaccurate – as two-thirds of male respondents said they have done so at some point in their lives, compared to just half of the women.
Men seek for help – but they don’t admit it
However, the survey still finds evidence of a stigma surrounding men seeking help. Other stereotypes appear to hold true, as men (63%) are almost twice as likely as women (34%) to hide the fact that they’re getting treatment for their mental health.
Male respondents also admitted they’d feel embarrassment (50%), shame (40%) or fear (39%) if those close to them found out they were going to therapy. By contrast, just 23% of female respondents would be embarrassed; 17% would feel shame and only 16% would feel fear.
Meanwhile, 55% think that women have better support systems than men so they’re more likely to get help for their mental health.
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