Are Teen Boys Prone to Anger More Than Girls?

Are teen boys more prone to anger than their female counterparts? If you’re like most people, you likely carry the idea that boys tend to be more prone to anger and violent outbursts than girls are. Men are more likely than women to get angry, right? There is absolutely a stereotype related to anger being an emotion seen more on the masculine side. Women have historically been portrayed as unladylike if they display undesirable emotions like anger and aggression. This is undoubtedly a dated view, but it remains the primary view about anger and the genders even today. It could partially be related to how men are often portrayed as needing to be stronger, more aggressive. In truth, women are just as likely to display anger as men. In some situations, they may come across as angrier than their male counterparts. There may be some variations in teenagers because of hormones, feeling a lack of freedom, or being confronted about certain situations.

What does anger in teen boys look like?

It can happen gradually, with behaviors adjusting towards the negative and anger infused, or it can happen overnight, with your once sweet-natured teen bursting with anger and insults. There are several ways to display angry and aggressive behavior, including:

• Outbursts of anger, mainly when things don’t go their way.
• Acts of physical violence.
• Verbal abuse towards siblings, parents, and others.
• Bullying of peers, siblings, and even adults.

When faced with this type of behavior in your teen, it’s a natural response to react to him with anger and frustration. However, it’s important to keep in mind that responding to his behavior with anger will only serve to further fuel his anger and potentially provoke aggressive behavioral responses. Teen girls may also react to these behaviors, particularly if they don’t feel that they are getting their way or if their freedom is somehow being restricted. That said, teen girls may be more inclined to respond with frustration, tears, slammed doors, and other behaviors where anger is less noticeable.

What could be responsible for anger in teen boys?

As is the case with many psychological, emotional, and behavioral concerns, many factors can affect teen boys developing anger and aggression behaviors. Some may be environmental, while others may be biological. Perhaps your teen has struggled with a traumatic event, or he has lacked the right kind of emotional support he needs. There are several reasons he may display disruptive behaviors.

How can you help your teen with anger?

Frustration will certainly be a part of your relationship with your angry teen, but it’s essential to focus on getting to the source of the anger so that you can help him work towards a way to react with less anger. Ways to help your angry teen:

• Encourage your teen to communicate openly and honestly to express his emotion in a healthy way.
• Set appropriate boundaries with consequences that can help your teen recognize how his aggressive behavior is not appreciated.
• Ensure that your teen is being treated by a therapist and other mental health professionals who can help meet his needs.

It’s too easy for someone to label an angry and lashing-out teen as a bad person. In truth, behavioral issues and angry expressions are often the results of a complex number of factors and not as the result of someone being a bad person or having had bad parenting.