A new study implies that the word “real men don't cry” is about as out of date as frosted tips and sweatpants that say “Juicy” around the bum.
Online dating platform EliteSingles asked 1,500 people for their opinions on men who cry and located that ladies much should you prefer a man who's comfortable with showing emotion. That’s great news for men, many of whom admit to crying more frequently than people might realize – and who are much more likely than women to weep from emotions like love.
There's an extended running stereotype that ladies are most attracted to stoic men that hide their emotions; never displaying anything more intense than the usual little bit of brooding. So, it's refreshing to discover this isn't necessarily the reality.
The studies have shown that ladies want emotionally open partners. Actually, 95 percent of women surveyed answered 'yes' towards the question 'Do you think women prefer men that are open with their emotions?' Furthermore, when asked specifically about men who cry, 97 percent of ladies said they found the act either strong, natural, or healthy. Finally, 81 percent of women in relationships stated they would like their partner to show more emotion — which makes total sense.
While the “strong, silent type” might be sexy on the surface, people who are completely disconnected from their emotions generally don't make good partners. Anyone who’s ever dated a guy who can't talk about his feelings at all knows just how frustrating this is often.
While laptop computer answers are encouraging — when asked the same initial question ('Do you believe women prefer men who are open using their emotions?'), 84 percent of men said yes — there's still room for improvement. There's still 16 percent of men (around 1 in 6) that wrongly believe women find emotional men less attractive. Additionally, a full Five percent of men said they feel men who cry are weak (whereas less than 1 % of women agreed with this statement.) In other words, there's still a disparity between how men think women perceive their behavior and what women actually want from the partner.
Unfortunately, laptop computer data confirms you may still find an overwhelming quantity of men available who aren't comfortable showing emotion in public. This is in stark contrast to their female counterparts.
When asked 'If you had been feeling blue, can you talk to someone about it, and if so who'd you speak with?' nearly all women answered 'My friends' – 52 percent would open up to an associate. Twenty-three percent said they’d talk to a romantic partner, and merely nine percent said they would not talk to anyone.
However, they found only 28 percent of heterosexual men said they'd talk to their friends. Twenty-nine percent named their partner as their chief confidante, as well as an enormous 26 percent of heterosexual men – 1 in 4 – said they would not talk to anyone. Is that this because men are just less emotional throughout? Well, not exactly.
The survey revealed men are experiencing stuff that make sure they are emotional (albeit not as frequently women). Less shockingly, 67 percent of ladies in the survey said they had cried in the last month – but an entire 48 percent of men said they’d done the same. Yikes.
But don't blame the people alone. When asked, 90 % of women and 85 % in men indicated they believed society makes it difficult for men to spread out up regarding their feelings. Which is kind of ironic, taking into consideration the research shows men and women want partners who are emotionally connected and able to communicate on the deeper level.
So what can we all do about this in our own dating lives?
Women:
Let's face the facts — we aren't used to seeing men cry and be emotionally vulnerable. So, if this does happen it can be a small shock. When the man you're dating gets emotional in front of you, don't laugh or brush it off. Be supportive and acknowledge what he's feeling applies.
Men:
Sure, being vulnerable can be scary AF. Keep in mind though, your partner wants you to show emotion. So, be brave and share your emotions. The numbers have been in. It's official, women love a man who isn't afraid to weep.