New perspectives on gender and emotion

Abstract

What does it mean to be emotional? And how might perceptions of emotionality be gendered? In this chapter, we discuss the importance of considering systems of power when conducting research on gender and emotion. We argue that two themes, namely intersectionality of social identities and hierarchies of power and status, provide the way forward for research on gender and emotion. To begin, we take a step back and summarize where investigation of the links between gender and emotion has brought us so far. Then, we discuss the research potential of intersectionality and power and offer suggestions for avenues of future study. Last, we provide concluding thoughts on other promising research strategies and methods that could advance the study of gender and emotion.