Heartbreaks harder for men than women

Professor Robin Simon of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, conducted a research involving 1,000 unmarried men and women aged 18 to 23.

Men suffer more after broken relationship
It was found that men suffer more pain following a failed romance. Researchers said that coping with a breakup is tough for women, but it’s the men, who get worse hit by the trauma of a rough relationship.

However, men also draw greater pleasure from a flourishing romance than women. Researchers found that the psychological and emotional boost is greater for men, when they are in a healthy relationship.

Men are more emotional than they seem
The results seem to contradict the image of impassive men, who hardly get affected by the status of their relationship.

"Common wisdom says that women are more hurt by problems in a relationship," says lead researcher Robin Simon, who is a sociologist at Wake Forest. “But we found that the benefits of support [in a relationship] and the disadvantages of strain are exaggerated for the men."

The fairer sex is often considered more sensitive, but apparently, it’s the other way round. “Men are more sensitive than we often think they are,” said Simon.

A poor relationship tends to threaten the sense of identity and confidence of young men.

strong>Why are heartbreaks harder for men?
The study, published in the June issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, indicates that failed relationships have a greater impact on men.

A possible explanation, according to the researchers, is that men tend to be close only to their lady, while women usually have a wider circle of people, other than their romantic partner, that they can confide in.

A broken relationship leaves men with a greater sense of isolation, as they are not open about their feelings with too many people. Women, in contrast, openly seek support from their close friends and family and therefore find it easier to deal with heartbreak.

While young men are highly affected by the quality of a relationship, the researchers found that young women tend to be more affected by whether they have a relationship or not.