When I was young, my mother would not talk to me if I was crying.  I never understood her position.

A woman told me someone she knew well confronted her in a way that shocked her.  She did not understand the person’s position and felt unfairly judged.  She cried, and the confronter looked at her in a way that suggested the crying was inappropriate.

Crying is a way to express feelings.  Sadness, joy, depression, anger, are four feelings that prompt tears.

We hold on to too many feelings.  We avoid expressing them in words or in behavior.  Tears are a way of letting go.

It is unfortunate that adults discourage the display.