Why Do Women Apologize More Often Than Men?

Have you ever observed that women tend to say sorry for the stupidest thing ever? Yes, women do apologize more than men, and researchers have found out behavioral patterns that unlock the reason behind this psychology.

The leading hair care brand Pantene's Ad in 2014, a part of their #shinestrong campaign, became quite a rage, when the Ad portrayed women apologizing for unnecessary things.

It asked women to shun the habit and speak up without feeling guilty.

I observed the conversation of two women at an eating joint. These women were feeling sorry for something that did not deserve sorry in the first place.

Still, both were guilty. In everyday life, we observe women saying sorry so many times, and, we do not observe this with men.

Why Women Say Sorry More Than Men

Research states that women tend to take offense more severely than men, hence they apologize more.

Research by Karina Schumann at University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada

In an experiment, the university students were asked to rate a particular offense, of waking their friend up in the middle of the night, due to which the friend got a few hours of sleep before an interview that he was supposed to attend. Women scaled the offense as more 'severe', than men.

In fact, it is not that men are not willing to apologize for their mistakes, but they're less sensitive to any wrongdoing against them.

In the research, it was found that women think there are more situations that demand an apology.

Conclusion of the Experiment

✦ The two genders think differently about the repercussions of an action. Women take offense more severely than men, and apologize more than men.

Women thinking that they are involved in some wrongdoing is more likely than a man thinking so. Women feel guilty for the silliest things.

On the other hand, men don't take offense that severely, hence, in their case, saying sorry happens in fewer cases.

✦ Obviously, the clear difference lies in the fact that, both think differently. Well, men, the next time you think why women in your personal and professional life keep saying sorry, it implies they demand an apology for things you do not deem to evoke an apology.

That explains probably, when women get mad at them, men do not understand why.

✦ Usually, with their buddies, men will expect things to be taken with a pinch of salt, and do not think that a sorry is needed for every occasion or a small mistake.

In fact, they do not expect this from friends either, and might think saying sorry is superfluous in nature.

They strictly follow the rule "Good Mates Never Say Sorry to Each Other."

✦ Women, on the other hand, are expected to be polite. A female boss who speaks firmly is called bossy. However, saying too much sorry also has a negative impact on their career, and their subordinates may take them for granted.

✦ Women usually put themselves under a lot of pressure to not upset anyone, and if they do so, they feel awful and guilty. For example, canceling a plan at the last minute even due to a genuine reason makes them feel guilty.

The Curse of the Good Girl by Rachel Simmons

This is an eye-opener for all young women who subdue themselves to being the good girl always.

Most women are under pressure of behaving 'good', that often unknowingly teaches them to suppress their opinions, and not to speak anything that displeases others.

However, there seems to be mixed reviews about whether saying sorry is bad. It is okay to apologize for a wrong-doing, yet, women are expected to be more courteous.

This impending pressure tricks them psychologically, and they end up saying sorry for silly things.

Moreover, is it possible for women to stop taking offense so seriously? Till then, men will never know what pisses off women so much. And women, just because you think something needs apology, does not mean men think that they owe one to you.

You've to tell them that you felt wronged about their action. Whatever the case may be, the bottom line is, ladies, you need to keep track of your sorries.