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Mind the Gap: How Generational Differences Shape

Indian Women’s Mental Health

India has undergone a rapid socio-economic For older Indian women
transformation over the last few decades, which has mental health was never a
affected its cultural, family, and social structures. priority. The cultural tendency
For Indian women, this has brought opportunities, to associate cognitive health
challenges and, in unique ways, affected their issues with stigma made many
mental health across generations. The generational not seek help and mental
gap between women who grew up with traditional health issues were seen as
values and those who have been exposed to modern private family matters rather
globalised values creates complex tensions that can than personal health issues.
impact mental health. This article will look into how This approach left older
Praneeta Jha
these differences manifest and impact the mental women isolated, depressed W/o Deepak Kumar, IPS,
health of Indian women. and anxious, especially in ADG (Trg)
their later years when they
In Indian society there has always may face issues like widowhood, health problems
or estrangement from family. Many women of older
generations internalized the societal expectation
of silence, resilience and sacrifice. This “keep quiet
and bear it” mentality has left a lasting impact,
according to the National Institute of Mental Health
and Neurosciences (NIMHANS, 2023) nearly 40% of
older Indian women report symptoms of depression
but rarely seek help due to stigma.

The younger generation of Indian women
grew up in a more open and diverse environment
where mental health discussions are slowly gaining
acceptance. With access to education, career
opportunities and social media, young women today
are more likely to talk about mental health issues like
stress, anxiety and depression especially related to
been a clear divide between roles of men work-life balance. But these young women face unique
and women, women were expected to put family stressors: navigating traditional family expectations
over personal aspirations. The earlier generations along with modern aspirations and social comparison
of women were largely defined by their adherence on social media. A 2023 survey by the Indian Council
to these roles, and valued domesticity, duty and of Medical Research (ICMR) found that 34% of young
family harmony. However, the younger generation Indian women experience anxiety disorders mostly
of women is embracing autonomy, education, and due to societal pressures and body image issues.
professional aspirations. This shift is due to India’s
economic growth, access to education and rise in In Indian culture community, family and
awareness around gender equality. The generational societal roles are paramount. Women are expected to
gap between these perspectives can create stress fit into the norms of marriage, family and caregiving
and internal conflicts for women of all ages. Older roles regardless of what they want. This puts a lot
women may not be able to understand and accept of pressure on mental health as women of all ages
the ambitions and choices of younger women, who struggle to live up to these expectations. Being the
may feel burdened by expectations they don’t want to “perfect daughter”, “ideal wife” or “sacrificing mother”
fulfil. This clash between the generations can create can manifest in various mental health issues like
feelings of guilt, shame and inadequacy and impact anxiety, low self-esteem and depression.
mental health.
Younger women who want more independence