Let women be weepy at work.
The week's news at a glance.
United Kingdom
Helen Rumbelow
The Times
Feminists need to stand up for the right to cry at the office, said Helen Rumbelow in the London Times. Men lose their cool at work all the time. But if a woman breaks down, her career is over. That’s because for a man, getting angry means getting loud and aggressive, which makes for an unpleasant scene but is at least seen as strong. Women more often express anger and frustration through tears, which are interpreted as weak. According to one study, women cry an average of 5.3 times a month, while men cry just 1.4 times (and for shorter periods). Since men shaped the norms of the modern workplace, “anger is okay, crying is not.” But that’s plainly just as sexist as judging managers on their upper-body strength. Of course, “I am not arguing for rivers of tears to irrigate Britain’s workplaces.” That would make everyone uncomfortable. But crying is no more childish than throwing a temper tantrum. Isn’t it fair to ask that women’s “emotional outpouring” be judged “equally with its male equivalent”?
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
The laws of finding – and keeping – treasure in Britain
In the Spotlight Amateur archaeology is on the rise but flouting the laws can land you in prison
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Properties of the week: houses with enchanting gardens
The Week Recommends Featuring pretty homes in Hampshire, Devon and West Sussex
By The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 27 April - 3 May
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By The Week Staff Published