[Masculine inexpressiveness: myths and facts]

This article examines the common admission that men express their emotions less than do women. Research data shows little difference between the behaviours of boys and girls before adolescence. During adulthood, however, evidence points to men being less expressive than women except in situations involving aggressive behaviour. Men's diminished expressiveness is apparent in a context of intimate interaction. But in situations where they compete for social status, men seem more likely to express emotions. The authors suggest that more studies take into account the social contexts of emotional expressiveness generated by division of labor based on sex.