Anger. It’s not an emotion women are “supposed” to feel — let alone express.
We’ve been conditioned to smile instead of shout, to apologize instead of protest, and to stuff our emotions deep down inside where no one else has to see them. But the truth is this: women have every right to feel angry. And right now, more than ever, that anger is not just valid — it's necessary.
Why Women Aren’t “Allowed” to Be Angry
From a young age, girls are taught to stay composed, be agreeable, and avoid confrontation. Think back: What happened when you lost your temper as a child? Were you scolded or shamed? Were your brothers held to the same standards?
Society has long labeled anger as a “negative” emotion — especially for women. And so, instead of learning to express it healthily, we learn to suppress it.
But what happens to suppressed anger?
It often finds other outlets — overeating, drinking, or depression. Especially as we age, hormonal shifts like declining estrogen and serotonin during perimenopause and menopause make it even harder to bottle up emotions. Many women report an inexplicable, explosive rage during these years. It’s not “crazy.” It’s biological, emotional, and real.
It’s Not Just Hormones — It’s Injustice
Here’s the truth: that anger isn’t coming from nowhere. If you’re not angry about the state of the world right now — you’re probably not paying attention.
From the rollback of reproductive rights to the suppression of women’s voices, we are witnessing an alarming reversal of hard-won progress. According to the United Nations, 25% of countries saw a decline in women’s rights in 2024 — through policy rollbacks, loss of legal protections, and toxic cultural shifts.
And let’s not forget the devastating effects of conflict: In countries like Afghanistan, women have essentially been erased from public life. No school. No jobs. No freedom. Is it any wonder we’re angry?
The Digital Age: A Backlash Against Progress
In the age of AI and social media, misogyny is going viral.
Influencers are targeting young boys with regressive, sexist ideologies — and it's working. In UK classrooms, boys as young as ten have been reported refusing to speak to female teachers.
Girls are being told to protect themselves — but boys aren’t being taught to respect women. The responsibility remains squarely on women's shoulders: what were you wearing, why were you walking alone?
This is not just a setback. It’s a crisis.
Anger as Fuel for Change
So what do we do with all this righteous fury?
We channel it.
Maya Angelou once said,
“Anger is healthy. Anger, if it is to do with injustice, is a healthy emotion.”
It's not about screaming into the void — it's about turning passion into purpose.
Write. Paint. Dance. March. Vote. Campaign. Have uncomfortable conversations. Educate. Protect. Protest.
Gloria Steinem famously said,
“One day an army of grey-haired women may quietly take over the earth.”
But maybe we shouldn’t be so quiet anymore.
You’re Not Alone — And You’re Not Wrong
If you're a woman in midlife feeling an unfamiliar rage, you’re not broken — you’re awakening. Your anger is not a flaw, it’s a signal. A rallying cry. A warning bell that something needs to change.
And guess what? You’re not alone in this.
We don’t all have to be street-corner shouters. Some of us are letter writers. Others hold space, mentor, or create. What matters is that we express ourselves, in whatever way we can.
Because when we do, we send a message to the world: women’s anger is not only valid — it’s powerful
Final Thoughts
Let’s stop apologizing for being angry. Let’s start asking why we aren’t angrier.
Together, we are stronger. And together, we have the power to rewrite the story — not just for us, but for every woman and girl who comes after us.
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