The Gendered Challenge of Expressing Emotions
Understanding Emotions Through a Gendered Lens
In a world fraught with gender norms and stereotypes, our lives are constantly influenced by societal constructs. Whether it’s in the workplace or among friends, gender norms often dictate our behavior and interactions. One arena where these norms are particularly pervasive is the realm of emotional expression — a domain that proves to be a challenge for individuals of all genders.
It seems as if emotional expression is an area where society struggles to acknowledge in a healthy way. The exchange of pleasantries is a prime example; when someone asks, “How are you?” the expected response is typically a non-committal “good” or “not bad.” If you dare to delve into a genuine explanation of one’s emotional state, it often leads to discomfort, where we fumble with how to navigate such raw vulnerability.
Emotions are complex and ever-shifting but emotional expressions are meant to be an unfiltered representation of our feelings at a given moment, often influenced by some circumstances. However, these emotional expressions are adulterated by the expectations tied to gender roles we occupy within society.
Women are predetermined to be overly emotional. This can be a roadblock to career advancement. It’s no surprise that…