The astonishing result shows the average woman cries for 12,012.92 hours over the course of 78.5 years.

Unsurprisingly, during our first year of life we shed 3 hours of tears a day whenever we need changing, feeding or entertaining. But even as we reach our mid twenties we continue to cry for as much as 2.24 hours a week as falling out with a partner, watching a soppy film or losing a loved one upsets us.

Reasons for crying

We polled 3000 people to find out the reasons why women cry changes dramatically over our lifetime.

Babies who cry for an average of three hours a day tend to cry most when hungry and tired, but also whinge when poorly or in discomfort. Crying is also a baby's only form of communication.

Between the ages of one and three years of age, children cry for up to 2 hours and five minutes a day. Their main reasons for crying include falling over, hurting themselves and feeling tired.

Then between the ages of four and 12 years old children continue to cry for 2 hours and 11 minutes a week. Kids in this age bracket are most likely to cry after hurting themselves, being told off for doing something naughty or feeling poorly.

Teenage girls shed tears even more than their younger siblings, blubbing for 2 hours and 13 minutes a week. The most common causes of upset for teenagers include hormones, arguing with friends, being dumped and being grounded.

Grown Up Cry Baby

For women aged 19 to 25, who cry for 2 hours and 14 minutes a week, a soppy film, indecisions about a long term relationship and losing a loved one are all enough to make them wail.

For women aged 26 and over, who also cry for 2 hours and 14 minutes a week, the most common causes for an emotional outburst include falling out with a partner, hearing someone else's bad news and feeling tired.

This is how the results have been broken down:

TOP 5 UPSETS AGE 0-1

1. Hunger
2. Tiredness
3. Only form of communication
4. Discomfort due to wet/full nappy
5. Feeling ill

TOP 5 UPSETS AGE 1-3
1. Hurting themselves
2. Tiredness
3. Falling over
4. Wanting something
5. Being told off for being naughty

TOP 5 UPSETS AGE 4-12
1. Being told off for being naughty
2. Hurting themselves
3. Tiredness
4. Feeling ill
5. Falling out with a friend

TOP 5 UPSETS AGE 13-18
1. Hormones
2. Arguing with friends
3. Being dumped
4. Being grounded
5. People being horrible

TOP 5 UPSETS 19-25
1. A soppy film
2. Being dumped
3. Losing a loved one
4. Indecision about a long term relationship
5. Having a baby

TOP 5 UPSETS 26+
1. A soppy film
2. Falling out with a partner
3. Losing a loved one
4. Feeling tired
5. Hearing someone else's bad news

11 Aug 09

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