When a Relationship Fails, Why Do Girls Suffer More?

DR. WALLACE: I'm well aware that males and females have huge psychological differences in some areas. Can you explain why girls suffer more than guys do when a girl-guy relationship ends? My ex-boyfriend and I broke up a month ago, and I'm still emotionally stressed while he seems to be completely happy-go-lucky. It appears that males and females are never treated equally by Mother Nature. — Carley, Sidney, Ohio.

CARLEY: I'm not so sure that girls suffer more when a girl-guy relationship ends. I believe the "suffering" is equal. Girls appear to be more emotional, sharing their "suffering" with other female friends. They also seem to show more outward signs of depression, such as crying, being alone at home and missing meals.

Guys suffer in a different way. Rarely do they discuss the breakup with other guys since crying is not macho. Instead of wanting to be alone, they put extra time into pet projects with their buddies, including athletics, work and putting a polish on their cars.

When it comes to "suffering," guys and girls are equal. Your ex-boyfriend's behavior after the breakup may seem happy-go-lucky, but chances are he is crying on the inside. Of course, the equal suffering is not applicable when one in the relationship dumps the other. It's the one being dumped who suffers.

 

I WANT TO GAIN WEIGHT

DR. WALLACE: I have a slim body build. I've tried eating healthy, but calorie laden foods to try to gain weight, but alas, I'm still slim. I don't want to "bulk up," but I want to stop looking so slim. I don't look healthy. Any help will be appreciated. — Skinny Minnie, Moncton, New Brunswick.

SKINNY MINNIE: Simply put, Mother Nature made three body types for both males and females: slim, medium and large. This type is determined at birth, and it remains the same type throughout a person's lifetime. It's obvious that you are a slim type and there is nothing you can do to add weight uniformly throughout your body.

Having a slim body type has nothing to do with being healthy or unhealthy. The University of California (Irvine) School of Medicine has issued a bulletin stating that if a person is eating properly, being thin is a healthy asset. Millions of people would love to eat heartily and remain slim. Don't fret, consider yourself fortunate. P.S.: My wife, Mona, envies you ... and so do I!

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at rwallace@galesburg.net. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2010 CREATORS.COM