Discussion Paper: The sociocultural origins of gendered differences in emotion and recommendations for future research

Abstract

In line with popular gender stereotypes, empirical research suggests that men are significantly worse at identifying, understanding, and expressing their own emotional states compared to women. This article proposes that these difficulties are driven by socialisation and gender roles rather than biology. Understanding how sociocultural factors influence emotional development may illuminate methods for improving emotional skills and mental health outcomes in men. Researching emotional abilities in men from marginalised backgrounds, particularly LGBT men, may be a promising avenue of future research to better understand this relationship.