Research Article

Gendered Tears: The Relationship of Gender Roles and Perceptions to Crying

Volume: 11 Number: 2 November 30, 2025
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Gendered Tears: The Relationship of Gender Roles and Perceptions to Crying

Abstract

This research is a quantitative study that aims to examine how gender roles and beliefs affect crying behaviour in adult individuals living in an environment where gender norms are pronounced, such as Turkey. Conducted using a descriptive survey model, the study analysed data collected through an online questionnaire. The study revealed that gender roles significantly shape crying behaviour. It was determined that crying is not only a biological response but also a behaviour culturally and socially associated with gender. The findings show that women's crying behaviour is considered more socially acceptable and tolerated, while men experience more negative social interactions when they cry. Men's crying is generally perceived as a sign of weakness, which leads to the suppression of their emotional expressions due to social pressures. Although women have more freedom to express their emotions, this sometimes leads to negative labelling. In social contexts, both genders are reluctant to cry in public, but this reluctance is more pronounced among men in the workplace and among women in social spaces. Although participants accepted crying as a universal and natural human response, they were seen to perpetuate and reproduce traditional gender stereotypes. The restrictive effect of gender norms on emotional expression can lead to socio-psychological pressure in men and, in women, to a perception of manipulation, despite this being a relatively more socially acceptable situation. The research indicates that greater awareness is needed in society regarding gender equality and freedom of emotional expression. To this end, the study presents various important recommendations, such as transforming representations in the media and introducing emotional literacy programmes in education.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sociology of Gender, Women's Studies, Men's Studies, Sociology (Other), Gender Psychology

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

November 30, 2025

Publication Date

November 30, 2025

Submission Date

August 3, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 27, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 11 Number: 2

APA
Seyidoğlu, S., & Çelik, M. (2025). Gendered Tears: The Relationship of Gender Roles and Perceptions to Crying. Current Research in Social Sciences, 11(2), 399-437. https://doi.org/10.30613/curesosc.1757277
AMA
1.Seyidoğlu S, Çelik M. Gendered Tears: The Relationship of Gender Roles and Perceptions to Crying. Curr Res Soc Sci. 2025;11(2):399-437. doi:10.30613/curesosc.1757277
Chicago
Seyidoğlu, Sadullah, and Metin Çelik. 2025. “Gendered Tears: The Relationship of Gender Roles and Perceptions to Crying”. Current Research in Social Sciences 11 (2): 399-437. https://doi.org/10.30613/curesosc.1757277.
EndNote
Seyidoğlu S, Çelik M (November 1, 2025) Gendered Tears: The Relationship of Gender Roles and Perceptions to Crying. Current Research in Social Sciences 11 2 399–437.
IEEE
[1]S. Seyidoğlu and M. Çelik, “Gendered Tears: The Relationship of Gender Roles and Perceptions to Crying”, Curr Res Soc Sci, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 399–437, Nov. 2025, doi: 10.30613/curesosc.1757277.
ISNAD
Seyidoğlu, Sadullah - Çelik, Metin. “Gendered Tears: The Relationship of Gender Roles and Perceptions to Crying”. Current Research in Social Sciences 11/2 (November 1, 2025): 399-437. https://doi.org/10.30613/curesosc.1757277.
JAMA
1.Seyidoğlu S, Çelik M. Gendered Tears: The Relationship of Gender Roles and Perceptions to Crying. Curr Res Soc Sci. 2025;11:399–437.
MLA
Seyidoğlu, Sadullah, and Metin Çelik. “Gendered Tears: The Relationship of Gender Roles and Perceptions to Crying”. Current Research in Social Sciences, vol. 11, no. 2, Nov. 2025, pp. 399-37, doi:10.30613/curesosc.1757277.
Vancouver
1.Sadullah Seyidoğlu, Metin Çelik. Gendered Tears: The Relationship of Gender Roles and Perceptions to Crying. Curr Res Soc Sci. 2025 Nov. 1;11(2):399-437. doi:10.30613/curesosc.1757277