Science Says Breaking Up Is Harder for Men Than Women

If you think women are the ones who struggle more after a breakup, science says to think again.

A new study from Humboldt University of Berlin, set to be published in Behavioural and Brain Sciences, suggests that men have a harder time moving on than women do.

Key Findings from the Study

💔 Men are less likely to initiate a breakup in steady relationships.
💔 Women initiate 70% of divorces—a trend that’s been consistent in previous research.
💔 Men are more focused on finding a serious relationship, likely because they have more to gain from it.
💔 Heterosexual men rely on their partners for emotional support more than women do.
💔 Women have stronger social circles and get more emotional support from friends, making them less dependent on romantic relationships.

Related: The Great Job Divorce: Why We’re all breaking up with our jobs in January!

Why Do Relationships Matter More for Men?

Studies show that being in a relationship improves men’s mental and physical health. Married men tend to age slower and experience better overall well-being compared to their single counterparts. Meanwhile, research published in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that women are more content being single—they are happier, more sexually satisfied, and less likely to feel the need for a partner.

Bottom line? While society often paints women as the ones eager to settle down, science suggests that men need relationships more than we thought.