I mean young as in 7 or 8. Is there some internal thing that causes them to know or feel that they are not supposed to cry in front of others (like other than mom)
My son seems to feel that way
2007-11-08 05:29:53 · 16 answers · asked by angibabi113 3 in Social Science ➔ Gender Studies
No. It's a learned behavior.
At very young ages, it's a parent telling him to stop crying, you're a big boy.
They also see Mom crying more than Dad, and make the connection that they are more like Dad.
Even if those factors don't exist for the young boy, by the time he starts school, other boys will tease him if he cries, so he learns that boys are not supposed to cry.
2007-11-08 05:37:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
It's a learned behavior. I don't have any sons myself but I know other people who do. From the time they were very small, they were told by their parents that boys don't cry or that it's unmanly or they will be called sissies in school. I do have daughters, though, and neither of them cries very much. I never told them it was unladylike to cry or make fun of them when they did but they just don't seem to be cryers. I don't really know why.
2007-11-08 16:04:47 · answer #2 · answered by RoVale 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that it's instinct. I believe that those kinds of things are taught. They watched someone else get teased for crying and don't want that or they've been teased and didn't like it or I've seen children as small a year manipulate their parents with tears. But if those tears don't get them what they want away from home then they won't use them.
My son is 6 and his friend cries when he doesn't get what he wants. It was a shock to me because my son doesn't do that. So what that says to me is that tears help him get what he wants at home... Where at our house tears and tantrums get you sent to your room...
2007-11-08 13:43:09 · answer #3 · answered by mrskerlin 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I worked at the YMCA drop in childcare for 4 years as well as teaching gymnastics, and I have a 9 year old brother. Some boys that age are the biggest crybabies I have ever seen.
2007-11-08 14:22:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
They've learned from somewhere that boys aren't supposed to cry. Crying is a natural reaction for children.
2007-11-08 14:53:31 · answer #5 · answered by Rio Madeira 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Society discourages men from crying...
that includes women in discouraging it too; oh they all say they want a sensitive man, but the most attractive thing to women is usually confidence, and a man blubbering away is about the furthest thing from confidence as you're going to get...
2007-11-08 14:05:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Yes I have sons. My 5 year old can control not crying when honestly I'd be. My 3 year old too but not as good. There seems social cues about this that are very subtle but present.
2007-11-08 13:38:19 · answer #7 · answered by I love me! 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
It's not instinct. It's a learned behavior taught by society, and sadly by their own parents. I'm glad my parents (at least my mom) raised me to be sensitive at times when I should be.
2007-11-08 14:06:21 · answer #8 · answered by UpTheDownwardSpiral 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My sons were the biggest crybabies out there when they were small! You'd never know it now. One's a cop and the other's a correctional officer. I just let em be emotional because soon enough the world will tell em it's not manly...but it is...
2007-11-08 13:45:17 · answer #9 · answered by zen 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no, it is taught through norms and what is accepted in society. I know guys that will cry in a min. And I believe they are the softest people in the world. (grown men)
2007-11-08 14:23:53 · answer #10 · answered by Terrence W 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋