“No Sissy Stuff”: Towards a theory of masculinity and emotional expression in older widowed men

Men maintain a ‘stiff upper lip’ at times of emotional stress according to theories of masculinity. Brannon's description of ‘No Sissy Stuff’ is a good example. For older men, widowhood poses a serious challenge to emotional control. How can the emotional consequences of bereavement and widowhood be dealt whilst at the same time preserving masculinity? Data taken from two British studies illustrate how widowers negotiate the conflicting emotional experiences of widowhood and hegemonic masculinity with its emphasis on emotional suppression. The content of the interviews is emotional but masculinity is maintained through the use of rhetorical devices of emotional control, rationality, responsibility and successful action. The context of these emotions is important to understanding how masculinity is maintained; emotional expression may be permitted in private but not in public. Cultural and cohort contexts are also relevant.