There is less tolerance for men being emotional in society unless it's anger. Partly because some men are like that, partly because some men are shown by society that they are supposed to be like that, and partly because some women monopolize it.
Perhaps the reason it seems like the problems start when the male is expressing emotion is because they sometimes won't until the problem is serious or long lasting. As in, the problem already existed, and the male wasn't emoting about it.
Oh, and Moskie, don't get into long term relationships with takers when you are a giver. That seems a little vague, so I'll explain: there are two and only two kinds of people in this world - givers, and takers.