Gender and Emotion

Abstract

In this chapter we consider the relation between gender and emotion, particularly as that connection is expressed in stereotyping, power relations, and sexuality. As we review pertinent research we strive to move beyond the conventional “gender differences” model that has tended to dominate the study of gender and emotion. We propose two useful theoretical frameworks for investigating the gender-emotion link. The first, expectation states theory (Berger et al. 1977; Ridgeway and Correll 2004), is useful in explaining the relation of gender-emotion beliefs to social roles and other social structural variables. The second, doing emotion as doing gender (Shields 1995,2002), can be used to explain connections among beliefs about emotion, emotional experience, and a gendered sense of self.