Page 126 - Sanidhya 2024

Mind the Gap: How Generational Differences Shape
Indian Women’s Mental Health

India has undergone a rapid socio-economic cognitive health issues with stigma
transformation over the last few decades, which has made many not seek help and
affected its cultural, family and social structures. mental health issues were seen
For Indian women, this has brought opportunities, as private family matters rather
challenges and in unique ways, affected their mental than personal health issues.
health across generations. The generational gap This approach left older women
between women who grew up with traditional isolated, depressed and anxious,
values and those who have been exposed to modern especially in their later years
Praneeta Jha
globalised values creates complex tensions that can when they may face issues like W/o Deepak Kumar, IPS,
impact mental health. This article will look into how widowhood, health problems ADG (Trg)
these differences manifest and impact the mental or estrangement from family. Many women of older
health of Indian women. 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
work-life balance. But these young women face unique
stressors: navigating traditional family expectations
along with modern aspirations and social comparison
In Indian society there has always been a clear divide on social media. A 2023 survey by the Indian Council
between roles of men and women, women were of Medical Research (ICMR) found that 34% of young
expected to put family over personal aspirations. The Indian women experience anxiety disorders mostly due
earlier generations of women were largely defined by to societal pressures and body image issues.
their adherence to these roles and valued domesticity,
duty and family harmony. However, the younger In Indian culture community, family and
generation of women are embracing autonomy, societal roles are paramount. Women are expected to
education and professional aspirations. This shift is fit into the norms of marriage, family and caregiving
due to India’s economic growth, access to education roles regardless of what they want. This puts a lot
and rise in awareness around gender equality. The of pressure on mental health as women of all ages
generational gap between these perspectives can struggle to live up to these expectations. Being the
create stress and internal conflicts for women of all “perfect daughter”, “ideal wife” or “sacrificing mother”
ages. Older women may not be able to understand and can manifest in various mental health issues like
accept the ambitions and choices of younger women, anxiety, low self-esteem and depression.
who may feel burdened by expectations they don’t
want to fulfil. This clash between the generations can Younger women who want more
create feelings of guilt, shame, inadequacy and impact independence and self-expression face a “double
mental health. bind” where they are caught between honouring
traditional expectations and pursuing their personal
For older Indian women mental health was goals. For instance, the pressure to get married early
never a priority. The cultural tendency to associate or have children can be stressful and anxiety-inducing

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