Tough on the outside, sensitive on the inside? The statistics on how often men cry will surprise you

The debate about men's emotions has been changing faster than ever in recent years. What not long ago belonged more to the private sphere or to stereotypical jokes is now appearing in the media, on social media and in therapists' offices. While traditional notions of masculinity have long equated male crying with weakness, current research shows that the reality is much more varied - and that men cry more often than many would have thought. They just still don't talk about it as openly as women do.

Statistics suggest that the gender gap exists, but it is not as simple as it is often presented. Summaries of psychological studies report that adult men cry about five to seventeen times a year, while women cry about thirty to sixty-four times. At the same time, the American Psychological Association points out that the average man will cry about once or twice a month. But the numbers themselves tell us not only about emotions, but also about how willing people are to admit their tears - whether in research or in real life.

An education that teaches silence

Psychologists point out that the differences between men and women are not just due to biology. Young children cry similarly regardless of gender; the fundamental change comes only with upbringing and societal expectations. Boys are more likely to be encouraged to control or hide their emotions, which later translates into adult behaviour. In addition, studies on the perception of emotions show that men's crying tends to be judged more harshly than women's, which may lead to men expressing their emotions in private rather than in public.

There are, of course, biological explanations - for example, the influence of hormones, especially testosterone, which can dampen the intensity of crying. But experts warn that hormones alone are not enough to explain the whole phenomenon. A combination of physiology, cultural background and personal experience plays a decisive role. This is why the frequency of crying varies more between countries or generations than would be expected on the basis of biology alone.

Modern men and the new openness

Interestingly, younger generations of men are more open about emotions than their fathers. Some sociological surveys show that today's men are more willing to admit tears even in public and are less afraid of being labelled weak. A growing emphasis on mental health, the normalisation of therapy and more open media discussions are contributing to the fact that crying is gradually becoming less taboo - although change is slow and uneven.

Moreover, crying itself is not just a reaction to grief or tragedy. Research shows that people often cry during strong positive emotions, during conflicts or even while watching films and musical performances. Emotional tears can act as a form of stress regulation and help the body return to balance. This is why some experts warn that long-term suppression of emotions can be linked to anxiety, burnout or psychosomatic problems.

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Crying behind closed doors

Perhaps the greatest paradox of our time is that many men cry - just not in front of others. Tears often take place in private, out of sight of partners, friends and colleagues. The public image of the "tough guy" thus survives mainly because men's emotions remain hidden. Statistics therefore tell us not only how many times men cry, but also how deeply ingrained the need to control emotions is in many societies.