Are Men 'hardwired' to try to act tuff/strong and not cry?

[Cicero]

So I hate saying this, but Yes, I am sometimes sensitive and I do sometimes cry about movies (and even TV shows). Are men hardwired (no pun intended) to try to act tuff and not cry? In movies, they also show the guy trying to hold back tears and stuff, yet women just freely let it spill out.

Like the other night for instance, I cried at the show Criminal Minds, cause Prentiss died. I've also cried at movies like Avatar (where the tree burned down) and Donnie Brasco (about Al Pacinos character getting betrayed by Special Agent 'Donnie Brasco').

For some reason, I just hate crying. I feel babyish when I do lol

[Ryhanna]

I wouldn't say "hardwired." I think society puts a certain pressure on men to act tough and strong, to be ~manly~~. Perhaps some men find expressing such emotions 'weak' and insulting to their masculinity.

[Castle of Glass]

yes. i do believe that men are taught, at a young age, to never show fear, sadness, cry, or "female aspects" but to be dominant, tough, brave, leaders. of course this is changing with the times, but all of it comes from something called The Man Box, a set of rules of how a man should act. this is not true, but it is just society. here is a better explanation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td1PbsV6B80

but in my opinion, men should be able to cry in public. if i ever cry, it is during the night, when no one can see me, as it is just how people are raised. like at my school, any male who cries in public will get mad fun off.

[TigerBoy]

Meh I'm just the same and my dad hates it. As as been said there is a whole bunch of behaviours guys seem to exhibit that often have to do with competing to appear the most dominant, which includes even stupid things like talking and laughing more loudly than the other guys.

I think maybe my sexuality (or shy personality) means I don't feel I need to act like that, and that I don't try to hide my sensitive side so much.

[dusman77]

Oh my god I thought I was the only one who cried when Prentiss died! That's awesome there are other sensitive guys.

[Jabbawocke]

I have no idea what mvie that is, but nope we men arent hardwired to be tuff. Of course, its just a common stereotype that a guy acts all tuff and stuff to get the ladies. But we all have different attitudes and minds. Acting tuff can just be a shell thay actually hides the guys shyness.

[Hypers]

Men are taught to be strong. Ever since Ancient Greece men were seen to be "stronger" than women, so parents usually want their boys strong and fearless.

I think it's just sexism and women can be as strong as men.

[Gigablue]

Men are taught to not cry in public, but I don't really think there is a biological component. It seems to be simply a cultural phenomenon.

Also, Prentiss died? What? When?

[its.me.akshay]

So I hate saying this, but Yes, I am sometimes sensitive and I do sometimes cry about movies (and even TV shows). Are men hardwired (no pun intended) to try to act tuff and not cry? In movies, they also show the guy trying to hold back tears and stuff, yet women just freely let it spill out.

Like the other night for instance, I cried at the show Criminal Minds, cause Prentiss died. I've also cried at movies like Avatar (where the tree burned down) and Donnie Brasco (about Al Pacinos character getting betrayed by Special Agent 'Donnie Brasco').

For some reason, I just hate crying. I feel babyish when I do lol

hmmm.... im something who can brake bones but i too cry at some scenes!!! and thats not babyish.... :p
something thats normal!! theres a tear inside every gangster!! :p :cool:

[Human]

Generally your childhood puts the pressure on you to be tough

[TheBigUnit]

Men are taught to not cry in public, but I don't really think there is a biological component. It seems to be simply a cultural phenomenon.

Also, Prentiss died? What? When?

She didn't really "die" she comes back later shows,

It prob mostly is a cultural aspect but also it could be biological too, basically only the stong will survive instead of acting "weak" or showing weakness

[Apollo.]

I don't often feel the need to cry. Mainly when I should be upset I get really really angry and in some cases aggressive:(. I don't see it as babyish at all in fact I'd prefer a guy to be more emotional and I'd prefer to be able to show my feelings by crying rather than getting really angry. The only time I cry is if my family or friends are ill or hurt even then I get angry. I'm the kind of guy that only cries in anger and to be honest I'd rather I was different. My boyfriend is the emotional type he cries at everything. It's so sweet I'd rather be like him than be like I am, even though I'm the typical male I don't like it.

[Twilly F. Sniper]

Y-E-S.

[Enthusiast]

I would say we are, but mainly just in front of people. I'm even joining a Fight Club with all my pals, which supports you opinion

[Abyssal Echo]

I wouldn't say "hardwired." I think society puts a certain pressure on men to act tough and strong, to be ~manly~~. Perhaps some men find expressing such emotions 'weak' and insulting to their masculinity.

Again I gotta agree with HolyHooker :D

[xXJust Jump ItXx]

I think its like whats said before its from cultural pressure. That showing emotions, crying, and like this are weak, not masculine. I really use to be like that for a long time... Then I kinda went a whole different road and I said screw that! I aint afraid to cry, I talk bout my emotions all the time! I freaking cried watching this Christmas movie called "Dear Santa" just like 20 minutes ago! Good movie I must say. But some guys stick to that belief throughout.

[Ryhanna]

Again I gotta agree with HolyHooker :D
Great minds think alike ;)

[Human]

I can't believe I got minus repped for posting that. It's true, if you walk around school crying after breaking your nail you'll get bullied.

[Manjusri]

There may actually be some genetic explanation from ancient life. In the paleolithic era men were the hunters, while the women were gathers. This required the male gender to become more dominant, and more immune to pain. Over the course of years the gene that caused men to be stronger would have been passed down.

Sometime around the late mesolithic era to the early neolithic era agriculture became pretty mainstreamed, causing both genders to begin to equal out. However, that didn't stop the common thought of men being more superior to women. This is where society starts to have an impact.

Since the beginning of time men were viewed as superior to women. Therefore societies impression was equal, causing men to act as they are viewed. This view - although false - is still carried throughout our society today.

So no, men aren't necessarily 'hardwired' to act as they do. They are more or less conformed / expected to act in that manor.

[TheWaterPrince]

People usually believe that it isn't "manly" to cry or be emotional/passionate but I don't see much wrong with it. I'm not saying that it wouldn't be somewhat odd if some guy you know breaks down crying in the middle of class because his gf cheated on him but there isn't anything wrong with showing emotion or being sensitive. I'm not the best person to say much about showing emotion but I can be sensitive and that has caused a few people to question my sexuality XD

[TigerBoy]

So no, men aren't necessarily 'hardwired' to act as they do. They are more or less conformed / expected to act in that manor[sic].

Experts disagree. In a well regarded study by Lippa (2005) "Gender, nature, and nurture" three 'ingrained' characteristics in males
(1) aggression (most types)
(2) higher-stakes risk-taking
(3) assertiveness

There are clearly degrees of expression of these traits both via genetic inheritability and via social conditioning, but the consensus is that the base traits are there all the same.

Gender role adheres to prescriptions of how to behave and proscriptions of how not to behave. The subtleties of these are culture dependant but have been aggregated into broad concepts such as strength, honour and action.

The male gender role is also not monolithic. Various psychologists have identified broad sub groupings

(1) Provider: Secure and provide resources
(2) Protector: Defend others and territory

So what "masculine" traits you exhibit may be different depending on which role you are playing. A male medic or teacher may thus fall into the second role where emotional empathy and expression is appropriate, whereas a sportsman or businessman may fall into the former, where competitiveness and hiding weakness is more important.

[Sir Suomi]

I think depends on the kid, and how he's been raised. Personally, I don't like to show weakness. And how I would define not being "weak" is to be strong, confident, brave, and know how to handle a situation. Also, to not to do things like crying, talking about feelings, etc. In many ways it's helped me stay strong mentally, and it make's me feel more like a man. But there have been times where I want to tell people about what's bothering me, or when I just want to cry, but I've stayed silent, not wanting to look weak. So I guess it's up to the kid in the end on how he reacts to stuff.

[kenoloor]

Given my experience with endocrinology, I can say that there certainly is a biological component to gender roles. Take a biological woman with estrogen running through her blood and give her testosterone shots. She will become more aggressive, less emotional, she will take more high-stakes risks, etc.

Reading through this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testosterone#Adult) should shed some light on the subject.

[LouBerry]

Not all of them. (:

My lovely Seth is very emotional. He gets upset very easily and I think it's attractive. (: