Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsThe Science of Emotion and SexThe Negative Impact of Emotion-Centered Stereotypes
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Table of Contents
The Science of Emotion and Sex
The Negative Impact of Emotion-Centered Stereotypes
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If you’re a woman, the odds are that you’ve heard the word “emotional” thrown out to describe your behavior too many times to count. Other common descriptors people have used for you may include “irrational,” “overdramatic,” and “sensitive.”
Yet, a man who responds similarly is often said to have presented a “good take” or “welcome input.” Each of these labels perpetuates the lasting stereotype that men are level-headed and women are unruly, emotional beings incapable of restraint.
This harmful and pervasive stereotype can have a negative impact on how women are viewed within their personal relationships, in the workplace, and in the world at large. As a result, women may regularly feel forced to modulate their behavior in unnatural ways.
A 2021 study inScientific Reportsfollowed 142 men and women to observe their regular emotions. At the study’s end, researchers found that male participants’ emotions fluctuated as much as women’s did.
These results represent a significant departure from how emotions are typically viewed between different men and women. “Traditional and rigid gender roles grounded in our patriarchal society depict men as ‘unemotional' and women as ‘emotional,’ saysDr. Catherine McKinley, an associate professor for theTulane University School of Social Work. “Because the patriarchy portrays men as superior over women, stereotypical traits associated with women andfemininityare devalued, discredited, and delegitimized.”
Portraying women and men as inherently falling along stereotypical gender roles as ‘natural’ or ‘innate’ perpetuates incorrect gender role myths, stereotypes, and sexism.—DR. CATHERINE MCKINLEY
Portraying women and men as inherently falling along stereotypical gender roles as ‘natural’ or ‘innate’ perpetuates incorrect gender role myths, stereotypes, and sexism.
—DR. CATHERINE MCKINLEY
McKinley calls the notion that women are more emotional “just plain false,” adding that “every human always has emotions, whether they identify them or not.”
The notion that certain people are more emotional than others causes serious harm to everybody. “No person truly fits in these boxes. All people have emotion and needconnection,” saysLiz Coleclough, PhD, LICSW, a social worker specializing in trauma therapy. “They may present, behave, or identify in a variety of ways outside of their stereotype assigned at birth. However, characteristics and behaviors that land beyond these gendered expectations can bring rejection, exclusion, even danger.”
When someone attempts to mold themselves into the appearance of fitting into one of these boxes, it limits their ability to grow and express themselves. According to Coleclough, this can cause women to have limited access to power and opportunities and men to stifle the healthy expression of their feelings and minimize deep connections.
Dr. Catherine McKinleyTraditional and rigid gender roles grounded in our patriarchal society depict men as ‘unemotional' and women as ‘emotional.’
Dr. Catherine McKinley
Traditional and rigid gender roles grounded in our patriarchal society depict men as ‘unemotional' and women as ‘emotional.’
As Coleclough says, “Women are ‘allowed’ to be emotional—but also must exhibit the right kind and level of emotion. Crying is acceptable. Anger is not.” The ideas of what is acceptable for each gender to express can also perpetuate violence.
According to theNational Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in three women will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime. “In a world that pre-determines women to be without power and men to be with power and entitlement, it can be no surprise that this type of violence is so common,” says Coleclough.
“Of course, to even be believed as a ‘victim,’ a person must still match the feminine description. So often, responsibility for domestic or sexual violence is still placed on a person stepping out of their box," she says.
Takeaway
It’s common to feel a desire to fit into the mold that stereotypes provide to your gender, but all they do is limit you fully expressing yourself and your full range of emotions in a healthy manner.
Be honest about how you feel, express those feelings as openly as you want, and never hesitate to ask for help if you need it. If somebody takes issue with an appropriate display of emotion, it is their problem, not yours.
1 SourceVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Weigard A, Loviska AM, Beltz AM.Little evidence for sex or ovarian hormone influences on affective variability.Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):20925. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-00143-7
1 Source
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Weigard A, Loviska AM, Beltz AM.Little evidence for sex or ovarian hormone influences on affective variability.Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):20925. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-00143-7
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Weigard A, Loviska AM, Beltz AM.Little evidence for sex or ovarian hormone influences on affective variability.Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):20925. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-00143-7
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