Quote of the day by Emma Watson: ‘I get disturbed by the idea that men cannot cry and that is the saddest…’ What the Harry Potter actress teaches us about emotional expression

What does it really mean to be emotionally expressive? For Emma Watson, the ability to show vulnerability has nothing to do with gender. During a 2015 conversation at Facebook’s headquarters in London, the Harry Potter actress spoke about gender expectations and the pressure placed on men to hide their emotions. Watson said, "I get disturbed by this idea that men can't cry', arguing that being able to express feelings is simply part of being human.

Emma Watson on why men should be allowed to cry

Speaking to an audience at Facebook’s London headquarters in 2015, Watson discussed gender equality, chivalry and the ways social expectations affect both women and men. While talking about chivalry, she said she enjoyed having a door opened for her but questioned whether the same person would be comfortable with her opening a door for them. Watson described the idea as one that should be “consensual”, rather than something automatically expected because of gender.

She then turned to an issue that often receives less attention in conversations about gender inequality: the emotional restrictions placed on men. “I get disturbed by this idea that men can’t cry,” Watson said. She argued that men are often discouraged from openly expressing their feelings and described this as “the saddest thing in the world”.

‘Being able to express yourself is what makes you human’

Watson's message went beyond simply encouraging men to cry. Her broader point was that emotional expression should not be treated as something belonging exclusively to women. “They can’t express themselves,” she said, before explaining that the ability to express emotions is what makes people human, “not what makes you a girl”.

The observation challenges the traditional idea that men should always appear strong, composed and unaffected. Watson's words suggest that vulnerability does not diminish strength. Instead, being able to acknowledge and communicate emotions can be an important part of understanding oneself and connecting with others.

Meaning of Emma Watson’s quote

The central idea behind Watson's statement, "I get disturbed by this idea that men can’t cry. They can’t express themselves and I think that’s the saddest thing in the world", is that emotions should not have a gender. Crying, sadness, fear, affection and vulnerability are natural human experiences. Yet social expectations have often encouraged boys and men to suppress these emotions, with expressions of vulnerability sometimes wrongly associated with weakness.

Watson's comments question that conditioning. Her argument is that preventing people from expressing what they genuinely feel can make it harder for them to process emotions, communicate honestly and build meaningful relationships. Her emphasis on emotional expression also reframes vulnerability as something universal. A person does not become less masculine or less capable simply because they cry or admit that they are struggling.

Why the quote remains relevant

The conversation around men's emotional wellbeing has increasingly focused on the importance of breaking down stereotypes that discourage men from talking about their feelings. Watson's observation remains relevant because expectations around masculinity can influence how boys grow up understanding emotions. When boys are repeatedly told to be tough or not to cry, they may learn to hide feelings instead of recognising and communicating them.

Allowing emotional expression can create healthier relationships with family, friends and partners. It can also make it easier for people to ask for support when they need it. Watson's larger message is therefore simple: emotional expression is not a sign of being a girl or a boy. It is part of being human.

About Emma Watson’s work

Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson is an English actress who rose to international fame as a child after landing her first professional acting role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series. Before that, she had mainly appeared in school plays.

After the Harry Potter franchise, Watson began taking on a wider range of roles. She starred in Ballet Shoes in 2007 and voiced a character in The Tale of Despereaux in 2008. Following the final Harry Potter film, she appeared in My Week with Marilyn in 2011 before earning critical praise for her performance as Sam in The Perks of Being a Wallflower in 2012.

She later portrayed Alexis Neiers in Sofia Coppola's The Bling Ring in 2013 and appeared in Darren Aronofsky's biblical epic Noah in 2014. That same year, she was honoured by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts with the British Artist of the Year award. Watson went on to play Belle in the live-action musical romantic fantasy Beauty and the Beast in 2017 and Meg March in Greta Gerwig's coming-of-age drama Little Women in 2019.