A Big Why? - Widows Tend To Live Longer Than Widowers

There is a kind of a narrative of our times which is a bit ‘different’ – this is the tendency of widows living longer than widowers.

- Rinky Marwaha

This trend is evident. We have research and studies which prove this to us. But the real question is, why does it happen so? Naturally enough, widows too are sad people, at least during the beginning stages of when they lose their other halves. It is not as though they do not mourn or feel bad. It is not like they do not go through a period of real unhappiness in their lives. Then what is the reason for them living longer and well despite being upset with life in general at this turn of events? Obviously, the answer is not that widowers are the unhappier lot as compared with widows. Naturally enough, it is not as if the widows are in a better space with their spouses gone. What actually comes through in this debate is that the whole issue of the ability to cope with loss. Women, in general, have a bigger grip on coming to terms with situations, happy or sad. They have this ability to be able to absorb and rise up to a challenge better than men. This knack of theirs is seen not just during widowhood but also during other spheres of life. Women, by and large, do have the capacity to be able to chain in or rein in their emotions by actually showing them.

Take tears, for example……….

Take tears, for example. Half of the men in our lives have been told by their mothers that they should never cry. Despite the knowledge being given on this subject, a lot many males believe that real men do not shed tears. They do not have any fears. To behave like this is not just being weak emotionally but also not what is called a true blue male person. Thus, they learn to hide their feelings, to cover them up in a guarded veil, in a room within their hearts and minds which is never shown to the world outside.