Adult Tantrums: The Silent Epidemic of Control and Chaos

When we think of temper tantrums, what comes to mind? A crying child at a grocery store, perhaps, throwing themselves on the floor over a chocolate bar. But what if tantrums didn’t stop in childhood? What if they simply evolved into quieter, more manipulative forms, hidden behind emotional drama, threats, and even violence?

This blog explores the uncomfortable truth: tantrums don’t vanish with age—they often grow into a darker emotional strategy used by adults, families, and even societal groups to gain control when things don’t go their way.

Part 1: The Family Drama — When Love Turns Into Emotional Blackmail

We often hear that children throw tantrums when they don’t get what they want. But many Indian parents do the same, only with more cunning.
Imagine a young adult who wants to pursue arts, but the parents dream of a doctor in the family. Instead of healthy discussion, the parents resort to emotional manipulation:
“You’ll break my heart.”
"You will spoil my reputation."
“What will society say?”
These are not just concerns. These are emotional landmines laid to gain control.

The same drama unfolds in marriage decisions. Sons and daughters are pushed into arranged matches under the weight of caste,family pride or personal interest. Resistance is met with guilt, tears, illness, and threats—not from children, but from parents.

We’ve been taught to believe that tantrums belong to the young and immature. But the truth is, many adults are simply children in grown-up roles, using tantrums masked as tradition, concern, or love.

Part 2: The Boss's Fury — Tantrums in the Workplace

In professional spaces, we find a similar dynamic. Bosses who throw tantrums —snapping at subordinates, threatening transfers, withholding appreciation, or micro-managing when their authority is challenged.

These tantrums are often accepted under the guise of “pressure” or “leadership style,” but they reflect emotional immaturity and a desperate need to remain in control. It's a subtle form of dominance—emotionally reactive, but professionally dangerous.

Part 3:Temper Tantrums in Parliament: A Threat to Progress

In the Indian Parliament, we have seen that some of our representatives, instead of engaging in meaningful debate and working together for the progress of the nation, choose disruption and drama, especially when the truth threatens their party's personal interests or ideological stance.

Part 4: Societal Tantrums — From Stone Pelting to Street Chaos

Tantrums don’t stop at the household or office—they scale up into public unrest.

In parts of India, when certain legal or political decisions don’t sit well with specific communities, we witness stone pelting, vandalism, and violent protests. These reactions aren’t always rational or respectful forms of dissent.

This emotional resistance isn’t about rights—it’s about entitlement and the refusal to adjust to fairness when it threatens long-held privileges.

Final Reflection: It’s Time to Grow Up Emotionally

Temper tantrums are not childish—they are human reactions to denied desires. But when used as tools of control, they become dangerous. Whether it’s a parent guilting a child, a boss overreacting to a suggestion, or a group turning violent when their will is challenged, these are all signs of emotional immaturity and resistance to accountability.

It’s time we stopped enabling this behavior. It’s time we recognized tantrums for what they are—not cries for justice, but cries for dominance.

CALL TO ACTION:

Let's build emotionally healthier homes, workplaces, and communities. Join the conversation - leave a comment, share your perspective, or pass this along to someone who needs to read it.

Comments

When Evil Wears the Mask of Goodness: A Psychological Trap

🌑 The Origin of Evil’s Deception In the beginning, evil was rejected. It was ugly, selfish, and raw—too obvious to deceive anyone. It had no fans, no charm, and no admiration. But evil is not foolish—it is observant. It began watching the divine : •How it speaks. •How it behaves. •How it gives, forgives, and glows with authenticity. Evil was mesmerized by how the divine attracted people—not through force, but through love and righteousness. So evil decided to imitate . But it didn’t change its inner nature . It only wore the outer garments of goodness. Thus began the most dangerous illusion in human society: The imitation of goodness without the transformation of conscience. This is what we now call: Image Building . 🌍 Where This Illusion Exists Today We see it everywhere: •In homes , where toxic relatives pretend to be loving while manipulating. •In workplaces , where people act supportive but secretly sabotage others. •In politics , where leaders speak of justice but crave control...

Where Are the Roots of Corruption—and How Is It Similar to Addiction?

Let’s Explore the Truth When we talk about corruption in politics, education, or government offices, we often treat it as a problem at the top. But the real roots of corruption lie elsewhere—deep in our classrooms . Corruption doesn’t begin in a minister’s cabin or a government department. It begins in the exam hall—with a whisper, a hidden chit, or a stolen glance at a friend’s answer sheet. We casually call it “helping a friend.” HOW THE SEED IS SOWN It all starts with a distorted idea of smartness and kindness : •A student cheats and calls it clever. •A friend helps someone cheat and calls it loyalty. •A teacher looks away, thinking it's harmless. But this is the beginning of moral compromise. Children begin to internalize dangerous messages: •“Success matters more than honesty.” •“If everyone does it, it must be okay.” And slowly, the brain rewires. What once felt wrong now feels routine—and even justified. This is how the foundation of corruption is quietly laid, long before a...

The Illusion of Conspiracy: A Journey from plotting to Collapse

In today’s world, conspiracies are no longer rare. From boardrooms to family feuds, from politics to friendships, the art of secret plotting is often glorified as Cunningness. But what lies beneath this cunning mask is a path of inner destruction. This blog explores the nature of conspiracy, the mind of a conspirers, and the silent collapse of their Core, despite outward success. 🔍 What Is a Conspiracy, Really? A conspiracy is not just a secret plot — it’s a betrayal of truth. It involves: •Secrecy: Hiding intentions. •Collusion: Plotting with others. •Manipulation: Twisting perceptions. •Self-interest: Gaining control at any cost. But what is the cost? The cost is your peace, your character, and your Core. 🧠 Why Do People Conspire? The Psychology Behind It Every conspiracy is born from a mental weakness. These are the real causes: 1. Desire for Control They want power, but not through honesty — they seek shortcuts. 2. Fear and Insecurity They fear losing...

The Evil of Appeasement: How It Spreads and Harms Society

We often hear the term " appeasement " in political debates, especially when one party accuses another of favouring a particular group to secure votes. But have we ever paused to think—where does appeasement begin? Is it only a political strategy, or has it quietly seeped into every layer of our society? This is not just a political issue. It’s a psychological pattern, a social evil, and a habitual culture—and it starts from our very homes. 1. The First School: Home and Family At home, appeasement often takes a gendered form. Parents—knowingly or unknowingly—appease the boy child, while neglecting or over-disciplining the girl child. The son is often forgiven, pampered, and given excuses, while the daughter is expected to be obedient, sacrificing, and responsible. This imbalance creates two kinds of individuals: The boy learns that strength and power bring respect and privileges. The girl learns that to be accepted and to have her needs met, she must please those in power. I...

Patriarchy Is Not About Men—It’s About Power Without Righteousness

We often talk about patriarchy as a system that oppresses women and favors men. While this traditional understanding holds a large part of the truth, it is limited. The real problem runs much deeper—and unless we understand its root, we will keep fighting symptoms instead of the disease. Let’s take a journey to redefine patriarchy—not just through the lens of gender, but through the lens of justice and righteousness —and their absence. 🔹 Phase 1: Traditional Understanding of Patriarchy Patriarchy has long been understood as a social structure in which men dominate—economically, politically, religiously, and socially. This is absolutely true. This view sees patriarchy as: A system where men inherit power, and women are reduced to submissive caregivers. A culture that leads to female infanticide, lack of education, bride burning, dowry harassment, and the suppression of women’s voices. A world where gender roles are rigid, and women are often denied autonomy. Feminist movements arose t...

Psychology and Indian Society: Changing Mindset

Search This Blog