Many of my friends would probably say that women are more empathetic than men. In general, it’s true that I have more female friends around me who are understanding of my problems than male friends, but on the other hand, the person who understands me the most and can empathize with me every time is a man. Women are not always more sensitive and understanding. It’s a myth based on history.

I have a lot of friends in my life. And I can confide in most of them about my problems. But I know that a lot of the people around me just shake their heads, mutter something, few really understand how serious things are sometimes. But my best friend understands everything. And it is how empathetic he can be not only to me, but to others as well, that is why I need him in my life.

When a friend recently asked me why I always confide in him, I didn’t understand the question. She told me that she would never confide in a guy about intimate problems or any serious topic because she feels that men can never understand some things. We had a bit of a disagreement over this, as I personally feel that this particular statement from her was not entirely empathetic towards men.

Why are women supposedly more empathetic?

Studies show that women often see themselves as more empathetic people. While many men can empathize with others, they claim in questionnaires and surveys that they do not feel they are very empathetic persons. In addition, women are often given different social expectations from childhood: men are expected to be more assertive and independent, helping others more physically, while women are more likely to help emotionally.

“Women’s tendency to report a stronger empathic response may be due to gender stereotypes rather than actual differences in empathic ability,” says psychology author Charlotte S. Löffler.

Even men can be emotional, sensitive and understanding. Often more so than some women. ━━ Even men can be emotional, sensitive and understanding. Often more so than some women. ( Source: El Guseinov /  Unsplash+ )

What is the reality?

Women have never been more empathetic than men. In fact, men can empathise very well with others, often even more than some women. Gender has virtually no effect on this trait, and the differences are virtually nil, according to research.

Men just can’t express empathy as much, which is a different matter altogether. They often feel sadness or pity for others, they perceive the negative emotions of those around them (but also the positive ones), they just can’t express them the way women can. On the other hand, in my experience, women will often support verbally, however , you can hardly trust them to mean it sincerely. There have been many times in my life when a friend’s silence has been far more powerful support than the words of some of my female peers, which, while sounding positive, were more or less false.