Why We Cry

When you're a newborn, if your onesie tugs on your elbow oddly, you'll cry. Even the finest of us cry over onions as children, but it is only because of the chemicals released. Children also cry when they receive a skinned knee. Because crying attracts attention, which babies crave, Infants rely on others for care because they are unable to care for themselves. But why do we cry during a depressing movie?

From a biological perspective, emotional tears make no sense. They do nothing to help us. You could counter that sobbing is therapeutic and produces chemicals that, later, give you a sense of security or comfort. Yet, tears by themselves are unable to accomplish this and are not required to.

You may sob in anger, fear, or despair. But regardless of the emotion that triggered them, science has little little to say about why it occurs. They only physically lubricate your eye. They keep things clean and remove toxins from the area. Who's to say after that?