Is crying a sign of weakness? In men? In women?

@Jenaisle (14079)

Philippines

May 4, 2023 7:27pm CST

I cry a lot these days. Sometimes, I think of the old days and then I just cry. The years had swiftly passed. I was a bubbling bride at 20, and now I'm in my 60s. It seemed just like yesterday. In a blink of an eye, here I am, tearing up over trivial things. I was reading a MyLot discussion yesterday, and it made me cry. This made me wonder if men who cry are considered weak. I know many will say it is not a sign of weakness but of courage. But I would like to hear/read from more MyLotters about their opinions on crying whether the person is a man or a woman. What are your thoughts on this?

17 people like this

20 responses

@ShyBear88 (59296)

• Sterling, Virginia

5 May 23

Crying isn't a weakness it's showing and emotion, crying can be for multiple reasons from something being in your eye to feeling sad, or happy, some people cry when they are angry. Crying is just a way of showing an emotion just like a smile can be showing a way of how you're feeling. What someone does when they have emotions isn't a weakness or a strength its just a state of being in that moment.

5 people like this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

5 May 23

Remarkable explanation. And now that you've said it, I agree, "crying is just a way of showing your emotions.:

2 people like this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

5 May 23

@ShyBear88 Your kids would grow to be emotionally healthy I am sure. Suppression of emotions could cause some problems down the line.

@ShyBear88 (59296)

• Sterling, Virginia

5 May 23

@Jenaisle Yep, we humans have lots of emotions and we show them in many ways. I tell my boys its okay to cry. Usually, they cry because they are hurt, or angry, yesterday the little one was out of frustration and anger. Perfectly normal for him not to get what he wants. My oldest cries when she is in trouble because she feels guilty that we are displeased with her.

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@AmbiePam (85701)

• United States

5 May 23

I don’t see crying in men or women as a sign of weakness at all. It’s often just a release of emotion we need to rid ourselves of, and that is how our body chooses to express it.

5 people like this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

5 May 23

Great opinion. Yes, some even cry when they are happy.

3 people like this

@Treborika (17311)

• Mombasa, Kenya

5 May 23

@Jenaisle I don't consider men who cry as stronger than those that take heart

1 person likes this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

6 May 23

@Treborika May I ask why?

@allknowing (130154)

• India

5 May 23

A good cry is good for both men and women.

4 people like this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

5 May 23

Yeah, it is, according to a study, it releases harmful opioids in the body to make you feel better.

3 people like this

@kaylachan (58291)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

5 May 23

I am in touch with my emotions. And I own it.

4 people like this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

5 May 23

That's right, we should own them. I do and personally, I don't consider it a weakness.

3 people like this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

5 May 23

@kaylachan I agree,

2 people like this

@kaylachan (58291)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

5 May 23

@Jenaisle It's actually a strength.

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@RebeccasFarm (86828)

• United States

5 May 23

I think it depends on who is crying..some people are very easily hurt others are strong. I am not a cryer.

4 people like this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

5 May 23

Then, I'm your opposite. They called me a crybaby when I was younger, and now I think, they would call me a cry-old-woman.

2 people like this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

5 May 23

@RebeccasFarm That's saving your tears. Sometimes, when I cry and others asked me why, I would say, "I am cleaning my eyes."

3 people like this

@RebeccasFarm (86828)

• United States

5 May 23

@Jenaisle Oh no, I am a stone

I mean I feel very deeply and get hurt and sad and I have all the feelings but I just dont cry..unless some family pass away then I do God forbid.

3 people like this

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@RubyHawk (99423)

• Atlanta, Georgia

5 May 23

Being sad or overwhelmed can make anyone cry. It isn’t a sign of weakness.

4 people like this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

5 May 23

I thought so too.

3 people like this

@RubyHawk (99423)

• Atlanta, Georgia

5 May 23

1 person likes this

@m_audrey6788 (58482)

• Germany

5 May 23

Crying is not a weakness

It is the emotion that comes out when you feel too much of something which can be sad, happy or even angry

We need to bring out those emotions for good mental health

2 people like this

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@m_audrey6788 (58482)

• Germany

5 May 23

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@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

5 May 23

Yeah, that's a great way of putting it. It's for good mental health.

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@youless (112131)

• Guangzhou, China

6 May 23

I think crying is just a kind of emotion. Usually women show it more than men. Men often try to hide their emotions and this is why we don't often see them cry. So when I see a man who is crying, I will be very worried.

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@youless (112131)

• Guangzhou, China

7 May 23

@Jenaisle This is why we have longer lives since we don't hide our emotions so much

1 person likes this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

7 May 23

@youless And one research I read said that women are more emotionally mature than men. I hope our men here won't sue me.

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

6 May 23

Women do cry more than men.

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@jstory07 (134679)

• Roseburg, Oregon

5 May 23

It is ok for a man or a women to cry. It is expressing themselves and there is nothing wrong with that.

2 people like this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

5 May 23

You agreed with many MyLotters. That's my take too.

2 people like this

@LadyDuck (459353)

• Switzerland

5 May 23

It's not at all a sign of weakness, is a way to release a strong emotion, it could be sadness or happiness.

1 person likes this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

5 May 23

Yeah, it could be sadness or happiness or even anger.

1 person likes this

@LadyDuck (459353)

• Switzerland

5 May 23

@Jenaisle - I have cried of happiness, this is something I remember.

1 person likes this

@wolfgirl569 (95800)

• Marion, Ohio

5 May 23

It's part of emotion. So not a weakness. It can be healing.

3 people like this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

5 May 23

Amazing, that you pointed out that it can be healing. I agree, you can get 'healed' when you cry because you're bringing out the toxins inside of you. Science has proven that when someone cries he releases endogenous opioids, according to this scientific article

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-crying-good-for-you-2021030122020#:~:text=It's%20the%20third%20category%2C%20emotional,op

www.health.harvard.edu

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-crying-good-for-you-2021030122020#:~:text=It's%20the%20third%20category%2C%20emotional,opioids%2C%20also%20known%20as%20endorphins.

2 people like this

@thelme55 (76481)

• Germany

5 May 23

For me, crying is not a weakness but an outlet to get rid of what bothers me. Crying helps a lot to lighten one’s burden.

1 person likes this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

6 May 23

Yes, and there is a scientific basis for this. You may want to read the link I shared above,

@thelme55 (76481)

• Germany

12 May

@Jenaisle Thank you. I will check that out.

1 person likes this

@ihasaquestion (8274)

•

5 May 23

I guess it is a form of weakness if you keep on crying for long periods of time. Why I say weakness is because it may demoralize you and make you weak to think well ahead. It is okay to cry once in a while though because we are humans at the end of the day. We need to let certain things go by crying and then get back up on our feet. Hope this helps, thank you. Good discussion here. See you around.

2 people like this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

5 May 23

I understand where you're coming from, Your analogy is true. Endless crying would be bad. Take care and see you around too.

@ihasaquestion (8274)

•

7 May 23

@Jenaisle Endless laughter is as bad as endless crying. Ha...okay my friend..stick around. Have a nice day to you.

1 person likes this

@MarieCoyle (29057)

•

5 May 23

When someone cries, they are accepting that they just need that outlet to work through something. Crying can be so complex and can hit sometimes when we least expect it. And the business of ''real men don't cry'' is complete and total BS!! We all need to cry sometimes. It can be due to grief, sadness, pure depression, regrets, even just a sad heart that something happened that was tragic and we can't fix it. And there are the occasions that we have laughter through tears, too. It's all normal behavior. I rather admire when people feel they can show their emotions.

2 people like this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

5 May 23

Right, people who show their emotions are courageous. I mean not the extremes, I also don't believe in the phrase: "real men don't cry" In fact it's the opposite. Real men cry and they're not afraid to show it because it shows they are confident in their masculinity.

1 person likes this

@MarieCoyle (29057)

•

5 May 23

@Jenaisle Yes. Yes. Yes!!!! Emotions are a courageous thing, you are so right.

1 person likes this

@rsa101 (37968)

• Philippines

6 May 23

I suppose sobbing makes you appear weak and exposed. Nonetheless, we must confess that occasionally crying is necessary to release the pressures of daily life. Crying enables us to let go of life's surplus tension and express our annoyance/anger at what is going on in our lives. Because of this, I believe that crying is a brave way to express displeasure, anger, or sadness. Even though it might be difficult to do, once you have, it greatly relieves you of a lot of the emotional baggage you were carrying around.

1 person likes this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

6 May 23

I absolutely agree. Science has proven that crying can release harmful endorphins or substances. That's why people feel better after a good cry.

1 person likes this

@snowy22315 (170596)

• United States

5 May 23

I think people cry because they care. It is simply a sign of being human, but excessive crying can be a sign of depression.

1 person likes this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

5 May 23

I think you're right on both points Too much of anything is bad.

@Tampa_girl7 (49132)

• United States

6 May 23

I don’t think that crying is a weakness. It’s when we hold back our tears that problems arise.

1 person likes this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

6 May 23

Yeah, that's true. Not expressing your emotions could get you sick.

@LindaOHio (157337)

• United States

5 May 23

I get melancholy when I think about the 60s. It was such a wonderful time. I think it's OK for men and women to cry. Have a good day.

1 person likes this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

5 May 23

Yes, the past sometimes made me cry too. Have a good day too.

1 person likes this

@LindaOHio (157337)

• United States

5 May 23

@Jenaisle Thank you very much.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203451)

• Nashville, Tennessee

7 May

Crying is a normal emotion and should never be considered a weakness. It is totally healthy to cry.

@manojari (114)

•

5 May 23

i don't think its weakness crying is necessary

1 person likes this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

5 May 23

In certain circumstances, yes, it is necessary.