Article Analysis of Gender Differences in Emotion Expression in Children: A Meta-Analytic Review

Some experts argue this is because of biological differences between boys and girls as well as social and cultural influences. In Tara Chaplin and Amelia Aldao's, Gender Differences in Emotion Expression in Children: A Meta-Analytic Review, they say this pattern begins in the first year of a child's life. As infants, boys and girls' reactions to frustration or anger is very similar with both boys and girls having negative outbursts of their emotions. However, girls quickly grow out of this around 18 months, whereas boys do not develop so quickly. This is because girls develop language abilities and inhibitory control faster than boys do. Boys also have higher activity levels and arousal than girls. In an attempt to manage those emotions, parents may encourage boys to limit their emotions. This first step quickly decreases boys' emotional expression. By the age of 4 boys are already showing decreased levels of emotional expression and girls do not. However, these biological contrasts are not the only reason boys show fewer emotions. Children will start to develop vocal, facial, and behavioral patterns to express their emotions at a very young age that allow them to express themselves. However, they also learn how to alter their emotions based on a situation and mask their feelings very early on. Social and cultural differences also have an effect on how children display their emotions. Cultural sayings like “boys don’t cry” or “sugar and spice and everything nice, is what little girls are made of” can affect the way kids show their emotions (Chaplin and Aldao). Boys begin to internalize their emotions in an attempt to seem strong and calm, but they externalize feelings that show masculinity like anger, disgust, and contempt. However, girls are the opposite. Girls tend to only show positive emotions and begin to hide negative emotions like anger, sadness, and anxiety. This can lead to girls becoming people pleasers because they are taught not to antagonize or threaten a relationship and instead internalize any negative emotions. These opposing emotions reflect the traditional roles of men and women in society. Socially, men are meant to be protectors, overcome danger, and provide for their families. They are supposed to be assertive, independent, and even aggressive, whereas women are supposed to be the caregivers. They are meant to be sympathetic, nurturing, and comforting, without being antagonistic (Chaplin and Aldao). Therefore, Chaplin and Aldao say that you can’t dismiss biological factors as an impact on the lack of emotional expression in boys.

Many experts, however, believe that cultural and social influence play a larger role in a boy's ability to express emotions. In Vicki Zakrzewskis’, Debunking the Myths About Boys and Their Emotions, she says that boys and girls have a similar capacity for empathy as toddlers, therefore social and cultural influences are what effect a boy's deficit in showing their emotions.