Nasty Aunties: It's not psychological problem

24 June 2007, New Paper

COULD someone with 'auntie' behaviour be suffering from a psychological problem?

Psychiatrist Lionel Lim dismissed the notion.

For him, the tag is more a stereotype than anything else.

'I don't think there's any psychological basis to label someone as 'auntie',' he said.

'Uncivic behaviour cuts across the board.'

Men and women exhibit such behaviour.

Psychologist Daniel Koh said he does not know of any clinical study or evidence that showed that women are likelier to exhibit anti-social behaviour.

As to menopause possibly causing middle-aged women to act irrationally, he said: 'When someone is at this stage, she tends to experience mood swings or disturbance, anxiety, depression, irritability or fatigue.

'With such symptoms, and combined with work, family (and) relationship responsibilities or commitment, these may cause a woman to behave differently.

'However, it is not all menopausal women who behave like this.'

Judging from clips on YouTube, there seem to be far fewer 'uncles' engaging in such anti-social behaviour (discounting violence). Why is this so?

'Generally men tend to be more tolerant when they get older, while women may stay angrier than ever, falling out with people, irritated by others and feeling frustrated,' MrKoh said.

As for dealing with 'unreasonable' aunties, he advised that one would be better served not arguing.

Even trying to rationalise with them may be pointless as they may not be able to accept it. It may even give them a chance to attack you, he said.

What about recording their behaviour and putting it out for public shaming?

'No, any form of public shaming is not only unhelpful, but it may cause the person to react more badly,' he said.