Why Are Gen Z Girls Suffering So Much? - Freya India

Added: Mar 8, 2024

Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

Freya points out that the introduction of smartphones, Instagram, and other social media apps in the early 2010s coincided with the decline in mental health among Gen Z. She emphasizes the role of social media in exacerbating mental health issues, especially for girls. She mentions the harmful effects of social comparison, targeted advertising, and the glamorization of mental health problems on social media platforms.

Exploitation by Companies

Freya discusses how industries such as beauty, therapy, and pharmaceuticals exploit young girls' vulnerabilities through targeted advertising and data collection on social media. She highlights the pressure on girls to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, seek therapy for normal emotions, and rely on medication for mental health issues. She criticizes the normalization and glamorization of mental health problems by these industries.

Online Therapy and Medication

Freya raises concerns about the trend of unlimited messaging therapy and the glamorization of mental health medication, known as "hot girl pills." She argues that constant access to therapy through messaging apps can hinder resilience and promote a culture of perfect mental health. She also criticizes influencers who promote sharing mental health medication online as a form of activism, targeting young audiences.

Freya challenges the narrative of normalizing mental health conversations, pointing out that the stigma around mental health has significantly decreased. She questions the need for young people to publicly share their mental health struggles and medication, especially on social media platforms. She highlights the overprescription of antidepressants to teenagers and the pressure to display mental health issues as a badge of honor.

Documenting Life on Social Media

Freya discusses the trend of documenting intimate and meaningful moments on social media, such as childbirth or personal revelations. She criticizes the practice of prioritizing filming over experiencing the moment fully, leading to a superficial representation of life online. She emphasizes the importance of living in the moment and preserving memories without the pressure to share them online.

The Importance of Developing Resilience

Freya argues that modern mental health advice often focuses on consuming products or services to address mental health issues, rather than encouraging personal growth and self-improvement. She suggests that the emphasis on medication and therapy overlooks the importance of developing resilience, coping skills, and emotional intelligence. Freya advocates for a holistic approach to mental health that includes personal development and self-reflection.

The Absence of Role Models

Freya points out the absence of role models for young women who promote discipline, self-improvement, and moral values. While there are influencers and celebrities advocating for self-love and empowerment, there is a lack of guidance on being a good person and making positive choices. She notes the influence of pop culture figures like Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande on Gen Z girls, shaping their perceptions and behaviors.

Male Body Image Issues

Freya discusses the rising trend of male body image issues, fueled by societal expectations of a muscular physique. She highlights the impact of social media and fitness culture on shaping unrealistic beauty standards for both men and women. The pressure to conform to these ideals leads to an increase in cosmetic surgeries and body dysmorphia among young people.

Filters on Social Media

The conversation shifts to the prevalence of selfie editing and filters on social media, which distort individuals' perceptions of themselves. Freya explains how constant exposure to edited images can contribute to body dysmorphia and low self-esteem. She also touches on the negative effects of social media platforms that facilitate indirect forms of aggression and exclusion among young women.

Sharing Unflattering Photos

Freya delves into the phenomenon of girls sharing unflattering photos as a form of self-expression and vulnerability on social media. She critiques the performative nature of these posts, which often present a curated version of imperfection. She questions the authenticity of such content and suggests that reducing overall social media consumption may be more beneficial for mental well-being.

Diverging Worldviews Between Girls and Boys

The discussion explores the diverging worldviews between Gen Z girls and boys, with young women leaning towards progressive values while men tend to be more conservative. Freya attributes this divide to factors such as education, social media algorithms, and gender roles. She highlights the influence of social justice movements and online echo chambers in shaping young women's beliefs and attitudes towards dating and relationships.

Cynism Towards Dating

Freya addresses the risk aversion and cynicism prevalent among Gen Z girls when it comes to dating. She discusses how social media and past experiences contribute to a fear of vulnerability and discomfort in relationships. The conversation touches on the impact of therapy culture and feminist rhetoric on shaping young women's perceptions of risk and emotional intimacy.

Modern Society

Freya talks about the paradoxes present in modern society, such as the emphasis on sex positivity and risk aversion simultaneously. She highlights the glamorization of divorce in mainstream media and the impact of broken families on children's mental health. She also touches upon the role of mainstream feminism in promoting certain values and the need for a more nuanced approach to discussions about mental health.

Prioritizing Emotional Comfort

Freya worries about individuals prioritizing immediate emotional comfort over long-term flourishing. She discusses how young people are often convinced that life should be fun and easy all the time, leading to a fear of taking risks or embracing change. This fear of risk and change can prevent individuals from experiencing the most meaningful aspects of life, such as building a family or pursuing long-term relationships.

Influencers Advising Against Having Children

Freya talks about the cultural intervention of a woman who creates a list of reasons not to have children, highlighting the various risks and challenges associated with parenthood. She also mentions a social media influencer who creates content to remind people why they shouldn't have children, using clips of children misbehaving and causing chaos. She points out the underlying fear and avoidance of risk that drives some individuals to prioritize personal comfort over potentially rewarding experiences like parenthood.

The Impact of Broken Families

Freya delves into the impact of broken families and single-parent households on children's mental health. She discusses how family breakdown can exacerbate existing mental health issues and hinder children's ability to develop resilience and healthy coping strategies. She also touches upon the challenges faced by fathers in the parenting process and the importance of acknowledging the struggles they may experience.

Mainstream Feminism

Freya explores the role of mainstream feminism in shaping societal values and promoting certain lifestyles. She notes that feminism has been co-opted by corporations, leading to a focus on materialistic and consumerist values rather than empowering women in meaningful ways. She critiques the emphasis on selling products and services under the guise of feminism, highlighting the need for a more authentic and empowering approach to gender equality.