Valeria Sabater, psychologist: “Men can suffer much more than women during relationship breakups”
Men also feel and are vulnerable; however, society has condemned them for expressing their feelings in public.
For generations, society has pushed the idea that men suffer less than women — especially when it comes to emotions. But that belief is misguided, argues psychologist Valeria Sabater. Writing in La Mente es Maravillosa, she emphasizes that “men can be just as emotional as women.”
The weight of male stereotypes
According to Sabater, the problem isn’t biology but culture. “Men are penalized more for expressing feelings and showing vulnerability,” she explains. For centuries, masculinity has been equated with strength, stoicism, and bravery, while femininity has been unfairly linked to fragility and instability.
This double standard has lasting consequences. “Men can even suffer more than women after breakups,” Sabater notes. “We need to normalize men expressing emotions openly without being labeled as weak.”
Science backs it up
Her claims are supported by research. A study published in Nature by the University of Michigan and Purdue University tracked the emotions of 142 men and 142 women over 75 days. The findings: men are just as emotional as women.
Another study from Lancaster University went further, suggesting men may struggle more during romantic breakups. Because many are taught to repress feelings, they often lack the tools to manage negative emotions effectively.
Time to break old patterns
“No gender is more emotional than the other,” Sabater concludes. “The real issue lies in repression, dysfunctional upbringing, and outdated stereotypes that still shape us. It’s time to dismantle those ideas and build healthier emotional skills. Whoever masters the art of emotions masters the journey of life.”
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