Emotional Expression and Gender Perceptions Among Indian Teenagers: A Comparative Behavioural Study

This study examines the psychological perspectives of Indian teenagers (ages 11–20) based on a survey called SOUL (Survey Of Understanding Life choices), conducted with 62 respondents (31 females, 31 males) across India. The analysis explores male inexpressiveness, emotional stability under societal influence, and gender polarization. Results indicate that traditional gender roles persist, with 65% of males exhibiting emotional suppression compared to 23% of females. Societal pressures significantly impact emotional stability, with 77% of females and 42% of males reporting mental exhaustion from overthinking (χ² = 8.7, p < .01). Opinions on feminism and misandry reveal gender polarization, with 68% of females supporting feminism versus 45% of males (χ² = 3.8, p = .05). Compared to past generations, today’s teenagers demonstrate increased emotional awareness but face modern challenges like social media influence. Additional themes, such as family dynamics, enrich the findings. Keywords: Indian teenagers, emotional stability, gender polarization, societal influence, emotional suppression, feminism