Of middle-aged adults who lost a spouse, 54 percent of men were in a romantic relationship a year later compared with only 7 percent of women. Among older adults who lost a spouse, 15 percent of men were dating after six months, compared with less than 1 percent of women. And after two years, 25 percent of men had remarried, compared with just 5 percent of women. Men who start new relationships are judged less harshly. Women are expected to carry the torch of love, and when that flame is extinguished they are supposed to mourn for it longer. The weeping widow lives up to our expectations. The
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