This chapter will consider gender differences first and individual differences second in how genders deal with emotionality in general and with the presumed presence of hurt feelings in particular. The specific condition considered in this chapter within the context of emotionality is presumed hurt feelings because this construct might not be specifically addressed in the studies reviewed here (Brody & Hall, 2008; Burleson, 1997).

This chapter pays attention also to the wider cultural context of gender differences within the somewhat idealistic but relevant arguments made by Eisler (2009). She proposed going beyond the simplistic and overused dichotomy between capitalist versus socialist economies by presenting new dimensions between power-oriented and partnership-oriented economies. In the former, men dominate women at the expense of women and children, whereas in the latter, men and women are considered as coequals for the benefit of children, as in Scandinavian countries. The United States, for example, among others, represents a dominator-capitalist economy in which men hierarchically assume positions of power over subordinate women. China and Russia represent dominator-socialistic economies in which men are still at the top of the hierarchy at the expense of women and children.