#916 - Freya India - Why Modern Women Feel More Lost Than Ever
Mar 17, 2025
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Freya India, a writer and journalist focused on female mental health and modern culture, dives into the complex challenges faced by young women today. The discussion highlights the appeal of therapy culture as a substitute for traditional religion and the pitfalls of social media on self-perception and relationships. Freya explores the feelings of aimlessness among women, the commodification of vulnerability in the digital age, and how modern influences are reshaping notions of femininity and empowerment.
The rise of therapy culture among young women has replaced traditional religious beliefs, leading to the pathologization of normal emotions and struggles.
Co-rumination among young women exacerbates mental health issues by fostering excessive focus on emotions rather than promoting proactive solutions and resilience.
Social media distorts young people's perceptions of relationships, encouraging performance-oriented interactions that undermine genuine emotional connections and self-esteem.
Deep dives
Therapy Culture as a Replacement for Religion
Therapy culture has increasingly taken the place of traditional religious beliefs, particularly among young women. This shift has led to the interpretation of personal experiences and relationships through a therapeutic lens, resulting in the pathologization of normal emotions. Terms like 'healing journeys' and 'intrusive thoughts' have replaced spiritual practices, such as prayer or seeking salvation. The therapeutic worldview appears to provide a sense of comfort and belonging, filling the void left by declining religious adherence, but it often lacks the moral framework and accountability traditionally found in faith.
Prevalence of Therapy in Youth
A significant portion of American youth is engaging with therapy culture, with a 2023 study indicating that 32% of 12 to 17-year-olds have sought some form of treatment. While some view this as a positive development for mental health awareness, others consider it a bleak indicator of larger societal issues. The prevalence of therapy culture extends beyond traditional therapy settings, as social media inundates young people with trauma discourse and mental health content. This constant exposure creates an environment in which individuals may struggle to disengage from those therapeutic frameworks, making it difficult to cultivate a balanced perspective on mental health.
The Dangers of Co-Rumination and Overemphasis on Therapy
Co-rumination among young women can exacerbate mental health issues, as the culture promotes dwelling on problems rather than encouraging proactive solutions. The tendency to label personal struggles with terms like 'anxious attachment' or 'trauma' can lead to a limiting self-identity that hinders genuine self-exploration. Moreover, this environment fosters excessive focus on emotions, potentially fueling anxieties and reducing resilience in face of challenges. Encouraging a deeper understanding of situational issues rather than viewing them solely through a therapeutic lens could help prevent young women from becoming trapped in harmful thought patterns.
Shift in Religious Engagement Among Young Women
There is a troubling trend indicating that young women today are less religious than their male counterparts, which raises concerns about their mental health and sense of belonging. Research shows that girls lacking traditional religious frameworks report significantly higher levels of hopelessness and self-doubt compared to their religious peers. As the therapeutic worldview fills the space left by declining religious engagement, it may inadvertently contribute to feelings of isolation and anxiety. Addressing this shift highlights the need for alternative sources of community and guidance that foster healthier emotional development.
The Impact of Digital Culture on Relationships
Digital social platforms deeply influence how young people perceive relationships and personal worth, often distorting their understanding of intimacy and connection. The commodification of relationships through social media narrows meaningful interactions to likes, follows, and attention metrics, leading to a sense of emptiness. Young women particularly face pressures to validate their worth through social media platforms, which may encourage a performance-oriented approach to relationships. As a result, many forgo genuine emotional connections in pursuit of online validation, leading to complex issues related to self-esteem and relationship dynamics.
Freya India is a writer and journalist focussed on female mental health and modern culture.
Are modern women okay? With rising statistics on declining happiness, life satisfaction, and marriage rates, it’s clear that the younger generation is facing serious challenges. What are the biggest issues modern women are dealing with, and how can they start to overcome them?
Expect to learn why so many girls are drawn to therapy culture, if girls raised in religious families seem to be doing better than liberal secular girls, why so many people are addicted to social media, how social media is reshaping the fundamental nature of relationships, is Gen Z actually living in an imaginary world, and much more…
