The Gendered Expression of Negative Emotions

The Gendered Expression of Negative Emotions

By Stacy De Coster and Rena Cornell Zito

Research on gender and emotions demonstrates more gender differences in the expression of emotions than in the experience of emotions. This may result from the fact that expressions of emotions are more readily socialized than are subjective experiences of emotions. Indeed, a central theme in research on gender and emotions is that individuals learn norms governing the expression of emotions. These norms for expressing emotion—display rules—are highly gendered in that their content conforms generally to cultural beliefs about gender, masculinity, and femininity.

Research on anger display rules, for instance, finds that people view behavioral displays of anger as more appropriate for males than for females. This presumably reflects the fact that behavioral expressions of anger are consistent with characteristics that are considered to be masculine, including aggressiveness and strength. Outward expressions of anger, however, are the opposite of femininity, which emphasizes passivity and nurturance. The gendering of anger display rules, therefore, may explain why males are likely to express anger through their behavior, whereas females are likely to talk about their anger.

Gendered rules also apply to feelings of depression. Specifically, research shows that people view withdrawing emotions, such as depression, as more acceptable among females than males. Following other research on gender and emotions, these studies propose that passive, withdrawing emotions are more consistent with definitions of femininity than with masculinity. Males who experience depression, therefore, may attempt to express it outwardly, rather than treating it as a passive emotion. Delinquency, or behavior that violates social norms and laws, offers males the opportunity to “masculinize” their depression. This logic may explain reports that females are likely to internalize and maintain feelings of depression, whereas males are likely to externalize and mask these feelings in the form of delinquency.

In sum, the literature on gender and emotions suggests that males and females who experience similar emotions—anger and depression—may express them differently because behavioral expressions of these emotions are more consistent with definitions of masculinity than with femininity. Therefore, males are likely to express both types of emotions outwardly, whereas females are likely to internalize or talk about these emotions without acting outwardly. This argument merges with theories of gender and crime, which suggest that females are less likely than males to engage in delinquency because delinquent behaviors are inconsistent with definitions of femininity but rather are consistent with masculinity.

Combining these perspectives, we can deduce that gendered display rules discourage delinquent responses to anger and depression among females but encourage such responses among males. Indeed, this is consistent with Broidy and Agnew’s (1997) gendered strain argument, which claims that gender differences in the expression of anger are important for understanding gender differences in delinquency. This gendered strain argument can be further supported by focusing on how the simultaneous experience of anger and depression influences delinquency across gender. Based on research suggesting that males are more likely than females to express both their anger and their depression outwardly, it is believed that males who experience both these emotions at the same time will be more likely to engage in delinquency than females who experience both emotions.

An emphasis on the expression of emotions in this argument allows us to conclude that even though females may be more likely than males to experience anger and depression simultaneously, males may be more likely than females to express the combination of these negative emotions with delinquency.                                                                                                   (566 words)

English 0210                                                          Fall 2020

Response Task

Directions

Write a response to the article. The response should be at least 400 words. You may find the following Guiding Questions helpful to consider when writing your response.

• Do you agree or disagree with the author? Why?
• What would make the author’s argument more convincing?
• Does the text challenge any of your own opinions or beliefs? Has it changed your way of thinking?
• Does the text leave you with any unanswered questions? What are they?
• How do the ideas in the text fit in with other texts from the course?
• Are any important issues ignored?
• Is the author’s position aligned with your own beliefs and opinions or those of your society?

Responses will be scored based on evidence of your engagement with the article, the degree/depth of analysis shown in your response, the clarity of your ideas and how well you use support from the article. You may also wish to make connections with other texts, although this is not required.