1080: Dr. Alok Kanojia | How to Raise a Healthy Gamer

Gender Bias

Societal biases shape how emotions are expressed and perceived based on gender. Alok Kanojia highlights that while society claims all emotions are acceptable, biases persist, particularly in how men and women are allowed to express anger. Women often face negative judgments when expressing anger, while men are conditioned to channel various emotions into anger, suppressing others like fear or shame 1. This dynamic creates a scenario where men are seen as threats when angry, despite anger being one of the few emotions they are socially permitted to express 2.

Anger and frustration become umbrella emotions for men, where we're not socialized to cry or feel shame.

--- Alok Kanojia

This societal conditioning leads to emotional suppression, affecting interpersonal relationships and self-awareness.

   

Emotional Suppression

Emotional suppression due to societal pressures can lead to destructive behaviors and a lack of purpose. Alok Kanojia explains that suppressed emotions often manifest as demotivation, making it difficult for individuals to engage in activities like job searching or forming relationships 3. This suppression can create a cycle of hopelessness, where people feel trapped by their circumstances.

There's emotion underneath that's driving that logic. They feel hopeless.

--- Alok Kanojia

Additionally, the numbing of internal signals by technology contributes to a sense of meaninglessness, further exacerbating feelings of disconnection and lack of purpose 4.