A growing number of women in the UK are reporting increased feelings of anger. In 2024, one in five British women stated they were angry during a significant part of the previous day, an increase from one in ten in 2020.
Globally, more women than men have reported daily anger for almost two decades, with this disparity widening. Psychotherapist Jennifer Cox suggests this trend may be partly due to women feeling more anger and partly due to them being more open about it.
Cox, who has researched anger, noted a pattern of female clients presenting with physical conditions such as migraines and stomach issues, which she suspected were linked to suppressed anger. She suggests women are expected to manage multiple responsibilities, including childcare, mental health, and work, while also performing nearly an hour more unpaid work daily than men, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Cultural shifts, including more positive portrayals of angry women in media, may also contribute to this openness. However, a 2020 study indicated that women expressing anger at work were perceived as less deserving of status and influence, unlike their male counterparts.
Life coach Yann Dang advises women in male-dominated fields to use direct language to express frustration and to build confidence in standing up for themselves. Psychologist Dr Tara Brach suggests anger can be a messenger, providing energy to address injustices and set boundaries, but becomes unhealthy if it leads to harmful actions.