Is it becoming more socially acceptable for men to cry?

WATCH ABOVE: Athletes and celebrities have been seen fighting back tears in recent high profile incidents. Peter Kim reports on the psychology behind men crying and why it’s becoming more accepted in modern society.

TORONTO — Often viewed as a sign of weakness, crying may be becoming a more socially acceptable form of emotional expression for men.

“A lot of women in my practice have actually expressed to me that when they see their partner or their boyfriend crying, it’s actually relieving because they can empathize with the emotions that they’re feeling,” said relationship therapist Kimberly Moffit.

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Onyx Barbers is in the heart of downtown Toronto and caters to the city’s urban male population. It has some of the manliest clientele in the area, but even some of its patrons conceded to the occasional episode of crying.

“With sports, it’s okay,” said customer Germaine, who added that tears of joy are less taboo.

“If I won something major, I’d cry my butt off.”

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Armel, another customer, said the last time he cried was about four years ago, and he hinted at the societal pressures to constantly put on a brave face.

“You want to be the man of the house, you know,” he said.

But many feel crying can be a form of catharsis.

“There’s a reason why that mechanism is built into our bodies,” said employee Kirk Tulloch. “Maybe it’s to relieve stress.”

Biologically men are programmed to cry less according to Moffit.

“Men have more testosterone and less estrogen,” she said.

“Testosterone actually inhibits crying, so even though a man may feel emotionally overwhelmed, he may not exhibit the same kind of physiological response than a woman in the same position.”