'I rage and I don't care': Why women are reclaiming their anger
Women in the UK are increasingly reporting feelings of anger, a trend attributed to the rising 'mental load' and societal pressures to balance work and domestic life. Psychotherapists suggest that this shift reflects a move away from the 'good girl' conditioning that previously forced women to suppress their emotions.
Why it matters
Understanding the rise in female anger provides insight into shifting gender dynamics and the mental health implications of modern societal expectations.
Image source, Suzi Mifsud Image caption, Music artist Chess Galea says she no longer hides her anger
Music artist Chess Galea used to suppress any feelings of anger, fearing she would be branded as "hysterical" or "difficult to work with".
From the "mental load" women carry to sexism in the workplace or - worse - violence against women, Galea says "we don't realise how much we accept and how much we close our mouths".
But now she says she simply lets it out: "If someone catcalls me in the street, I rage. I don't care."
Galea, 34, is one of an increasing number of women in the UK reporting feeling angrier than ever.
In 2024, one in five British women reported being angry during a lot of the previous day , external , up from one in 10 in 2020.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in