Ceremony of Innocence

What use are tears? What is their purpose? In this book the author argues that we underestimate the importance of this powerful means of communication. Tears are dismissed as a symbol of weakness when we should value them as a source of energy and creativity. In case histories, based on original research, she shows how, why, when and where human beings cry and the barriers placed in their way. By shaming people - particularly boy children and men - we also suppress human capacities to express tenderness and compassion for distress in ourselves and in others. That can affect our health, out relationships and our capacity to protest against injustice.