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What can you do if your culture and family view showing emotion as weak?

20 Answers
Last Updated: 11/07/2017 at 6:14am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Brenda King, PsyD

Psychologist

I treat life changes, women’s issues, and issues of aging using evidence-based treatments with healthy doses of warmth, empathy and humor to enhance healing and growth.

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
November 28th, 2014 6:35am
Be confident when expressing your emotions. If anyone tries to deter you, firmly say that you disagree in an assertive manner. Try to show you emotions in the most genuine way possible and be authentic. So basically, counteract it with mental resilience. :) If they still disagree with you, leave it at that. If you don't react the way they want you to, they can't harm you. Remember, that there's no such thing as being "overly sensitive" or too "touchy feely." We all have the right to express our emotions, we're human after all. :)
Erynn
December 19th, 2014 6:24am
It may help to begin by examining both ends of the spectrum, and then all the places in between. It is rare to find someone who feels NO emotions should be shown, and it's rare to find someone that feels ALL emotions should be shown. What emotions does your family & culture value? And what ways do they allow themselves to show these emotions? What emotions would you like to express? And how would you like to express these emotions? Is there a middle ground? are there places outside of your family/culture that you can express your feelings and self more fully? Are there other mediums (art, journaling, music) where you can express yourself? Sometimes we are just in really hard situations and faced with really hard choices. It's ultimately up to you how you choose to hold yourself and express your emotions and which situations you express yourself which way in.
heycrysteezy
January 2nd, 2015 6:28pm
Know that cultural views are subjective. It's a bit touchy to just say "don't listen to them." You, yourself, however, are entitled to your feelings. In a situation like this, I think it's good that communities like ours exist. Find a place where you can go, be anonymous, and let your emotions out.
Anonymous
April 1st, 2015 10:49pm
Just don't be emotive with them , talk of your emotion with close friends, sometime it's just a waste of time to try whe nyou know it won't work out
FaithfulPerson
March 29th, 2015 6:16am
Seek support from resources which encourage you to express your emotions. Talk about your feelings with someone who does not judge you. Be gentle with yourself and engage in positive self care techniques daily to help cope with self esteem and emotional well being.
Anonymous
November 7th, 2017 6:14am
Emotions are necessary to make healthy social connections, promote and enable social interaction, emotions are natural and necessary for survival. Sometime the settings might make it difficult for us to display them, but as humans it's never bad to display them! You can still be your own self!
Anonymous
April 4th, 2017 5:51pm
This is different depending on your issue. If you just feel like letting go of some emotions, you can do so to a person who don't share this view (such as someone on 7 cups). If you have a specific struggle you want to talk about, try doing so without being overly emotional. Or just try to normalise emotions and debating why it is not weak!
Greatlistener87
- Expert in Managing Emotions
April 5th, 2016 8:37am
You can still be emotional if you want to, but always know that there is a place and time to do so.
Anonymous
February 15th, 2016 12:10pm
Remind yourself that having and showing emotions are what makes us human. Don't let anyone tell you how you should be feeling or be experiencing a situation. Try to notice as often as possible these emotions and keep reminding yourself that they are a part of you and are there to lead you through life. You will understand yourself much better if you follow them. I say the best thing is to just stick to being your true self, that way you'll be much happier.
Anonymous
January 26th, 2016 11:52pm
That can be difficult to deal with. Expressing emotions is a good way to let them go and move on , instead of bottling them up and waiting for it to explode. I think that if you feel expressing your emotions helps greatly, you should find ways to express them , other than confiding in your family who sees it as weak. You can always vent to listeners on 7cups or your close friends .
Anonymous
December 29th, 2015 9:56am
The most practical tip is that : *One's behaviours are the outcome of one's thoughts.Hence, I can shift from emotional state to rational state by controlling my feelings and Adapt to the environment.
PaloP
August 18th, 2015 10:33am
That is a fail concept. Our emotions are part of us, and for a good health (mental and physical) we have to let them go out. Cry is not for weaks. Laught is not for stupids. Be yourself and show what you feel.
Maricellac
June 17th, 2015 3:05am
Holding in your emotions is unhealthy, and can cause issues later on in life, you should talk to someone about your feelings or even write a diary/journal.
Johnny20
November 25th, 2014 1:08pm
It's not a sign of weakness showing emotions. It is a humanity signal. Expose the feelings makes us more human and closer to each other.
karenanne
March 20th, 2015 1:01pm
Seek out resources, even online resources, where you can let your real self shine. Not everyone is going to be accepted by every culture, environment, or family. If you are not getting the support you need in your current environment, seek a new environment.
Anonymous
December 9th, 2014 7:44am
If you feel that you need to show your emotions, I think that finding people that feel the same is the best option.
Anonymous
December 1st, 2014 2:23am
This is a really good question. The key thing to do is to recognize that emotion is often very physical. When we are anxious, we get shortened breaths. When we are angry, we tense our fists. When we are anxious, we feel tension throughout our bodies. If you can begin to match up the physical experience with the word that the emotion represents, then you can begin to *feel* those feelings. Feeling it - like a cloud passing through the sky - is what enables feelings to pass. They are meant to be felt and not clung to. The key part is for you to manage emotions for yourself, regardless of what your family or culture might feel.
Anonymous
November 30th, 2014 8:48am
The path of least resistance is also the path of least heartache. Can you really change something that's so ingrained in your family and culture as how to show emotions? Probably not. But you can make friends with people from other cultures that are better able to meet your emotional needs. And remember: families of all cultures rarely tell us what we want to hear, but it doesn't mean they don't love us and support us.
Anonymous
November 25th, 2014 2:54pm
well as soon as i have noticed that the reason i am becoming weak is because of my point of view of my culture and family i will exercise my mind and learn how to overcome my weakness
Anonymous
November 25th, 2014 1:27pm
Express your emotions, tell whoever it is that having emotions is normal, otherwise try to not show emotion around them.