Why women handle breakups better

Women aren’t born better at breakups; they’ve been socialised to handle emotions differently. According to another study published in "Social Psychological and Personality Science", single women are more likely to be content with their independence and less likely to jump into a new relationship to ease the pain.

This emotional independence might explain why women initiate nearly 70% of divorces, as reported by the American Sociological Association.

It’s not because women are cold or impulsive; it’s because they’re less reliant on their partner for emotional stability. When a relationship ends, women tend to process the pain consciously.

They talk about it (a lot), cry it out and eventually move on. Men, on the other hand, often avoid the emotional work altogether. They suppress their feelings only to have them resurface later, sometimes in unhealthy ways.

Still not convinced that men are secretly softies? A groundbreaking study led by Dr Charlotte Entwistle found that men talk about “heartache” more than women in online forums.

Words like regret, cry, breakup, and heartbroken were more commonly used by men than women when discussing relationship problems.

Dr Ryan Boyd, another researcher on the project, noted, “The stereotype that men are less emotionally invested in relationships than women is simply not accurate.”

Men were more likely to seek help for relationship issues in online spaces, where the stigma of vulnerability is lower. This suggests that when men feel safe to express their emotions, they’re just as invested in their relationships as women, if not more.

How men and women process breakups:

Women’s toolkit for breakups

1. Community support: Friends, family, and even coworkers rally around women during a breakup.

2. Open communication: Women are more likely to vent, cry, and share their feelings.

3. Self-reflection: Breakups often lead women to focus on self-growth, therapy, and rediscovering themselves.

4. Healthy coping mechanisms: Women gravitate toward journaling, yoga, and other self-care activities.

Men’s approach to breakups

1. Emotional isolation: Men rarely talk about their feelings with friends or family.

2. Distractions over healing: Many men throw themselves into work, hobbies, or casual dating to avoid the pain.

3. Delayed processing: Instead of facing their emotions head-on, men often suppress them, leading to longer-lasting heartbreak.

4. Online venting: Men are more likely to seek emotional support anonymously online. Understanding these differences isn’t just good trivia; it’s crucial for fostering healthier relationships.

Experts suggest that removing societal stigmas against men sharing their emotions could make a huge difference. When men feel safe to express vulnerability, they’re more likely to seek help, process their feelings, and ultimately heal.