On Thursday, Joe Biden had a very human reaction after Obama surprised him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. At a farewell tribute, the vice-president grabbed a tissue from his back pocket and started to bawl. He took deep breaths, wiped away tears and stared into cameras and smartphones with glistening eyes.

The heartfelt response to being presented the highest civilian award is completely warranted – I’ve shed bigger tears watching dog videos. But Biden’s bawl is noteworthy because it’s rare to see male politicians display “feminine” behavior in public. While it’s important that guys see high-profile depictions of healthy masculinity, the president and vice-president’s emotional vulnerability over the past eight years has made politics a more welcoming place for women.

Male politicians usually showcase stereotypically alpha characteristics. Donald Trump and Chris Christie are bullies who use schoolyard insults to weaken their opponents. Anthony Weiner and Bill Clinton are charismatic megalomaniacs whose insatiable egos are fuelled by political power and sexual conquest. Bernie Sanders yells until he’s red in the face to make a point.



Where does this macho behavior leave women with congressional ambitions? They either put on a pantsuit and act like one of the boys or decide to work in fields where sensitivity isn’t considered a weakness. It’s no surprise that given the testosterone-fuelled atmosphere, Congress is 80% male. But both Biden and Obama have made it easier for women to enter politics by being role models who embrace their feelings.



Too many men still think a woman who cries is acting hysterical. For some baffling reason, punching a hole in the wall or another person in the face is a more culturally acceptable way to release pain than sobbing into a pillow. And politics is no different. Anger makes you a strong candidate while sadness makes you frail. The result is that many female politicians swallow their emotions in an effort to appear tough.

During Hillary Clinton’s concession speech, I yearned for the secretary of state to let down her steely guard. When she said: “This loss hurts,” I wanted her to show that pain and unleash the tears piling up behind her eyes.

But of course, I know why she didn’t. In a nasty campaign during which she was scrutinized and mistreated because of her gender, Clinton didn’t want to give her critics any more fodder. On top of losing to a man with zero experience who boasted about sexually assaulting women, Clinton didn’t need Donald Trump calling her a pathetic puddle of tears who couldn’t handle her loss “like a man”.

The stereotype that women are overly emotional, hormonal beings who are unfit to lead still exists. Powerful men like Obama and Biden who embrace their feelings on a public stage help to combat the ridiculous political stigma against sensitivity. Every time these political powerhouses become misty-eyed, they send the message that having human feelings doesn’t equal incompetence.

Obama cried in front of his staff after his re-election, after the Sandy Hook shooting and most recently during his farewell address. Biden shed tears when his son nominated him as vice-president at the 2012 Democratic national convention and had tears in his eyes throughout his entire medal of freedom speech. While the stereotypical view of a powerful leader is a man who gives stern orders, stays composed and washes away his feelings with whiskey, Obama and Biden have proudly displayed their sensitivity as a strength.

The president and vice-president have also always been candid about their friendship. At the White House correspondents dinner, Obama said he loved “Joe” and joked: “We’ve gotten so close that in some places in Indiana, they won’t serve us pizza anymore.” He appeared in a BuzzFeed video making a friendship bracelet for his right-hand man; Biden later posted a photo of the bracelet on Twitter. During his eulogy at Beau Biden’s funeral, Obama called himself an honorary member of the Biden family before wrapping the vice-president in a hug and kissing him on the cheek.

Their relationship is incredibly refreshing to watch for women who regularly have openly affectionate bonds with one another. In the workplace, we’re more likely to sign e-mails with “xo” and use exclamation marks in e-mails to put our colleagues at ease. But our emotional thoughtfulness towards one another is often considered unprofessional by men who prefer cold directives. Obama and Biden’s bromance proves that tight bonds have a place at work.

The president’s and vice-president’s emotional honesty is beautiful to watch. But more importantly, Obama and Biden have made politics less macho. By being the kind of men who are unafraid to openly love one another and cry in public, they have sent a message to aspiring female politicians that being human doesn’t come with a penalty.