> Why would I ever go to a woman for "emotional support"? Her lived experience and frame of reference will be so radically different from my own that her advice is unlikely to be applicable. When I need support, I call my guy friends with ("Hey, I haven't encountered this problem in my life before. I believe you had a similar scenario in the past. Suggestions?"), and they do the same.
Emotional support goes beyond advice and suggestions. In fact, for many people (including many men), advice is the least important part and often unwelcome at first. What people are looking for is empathy, being heard and validated. Therapists don't share the same lived experience as most of their clients, yet they can still be exceptionally skilled at providing emotional support.
Emotional support goes beyond advice and suggestions. In fact, for many people (including many men), advice is the least important part and often unwelcome at first. What people are looking for is empathy, being heard and validated. Therapists don't share the same lived experience as most of their clients, yet they can still be exceptionally skilled at providing emotional support.