How to Quiet Your Inner Critic with Dr. Kristin Neff
We Can Do Hard Things
Compassion's Dual Faces: Gendered Limitations
Gender role socialization significantly hampers the ability to express both fierce and tender compassion, particularly for those raised as men. Those in the 'blue shoe box,' representing traditional masculinity, face societal pressures that discourage tenderness and vulnerability, which prevents them from accessing vital self-compassion and healing. This results in lower participation of men in self-compassion workshops. Conversely, individuals raised as women are generally taught to be compassionate towards others, making them adept in empathy, yet they grapple with self-compassion, as societal expectations often promote self-sacrifice over self-care. Thus, while women may demonstrate greater compassion for others, they may struggle to extend the same kindness to themselves, highlighting the complexities of compassion across different gender socializations.
