Covid-19: Students return to strict society during lockdown

FOR some students, university life offers a reprieve from the stringent social cues in their home town. For these students, lockdown brings with it a restrictive world and a host of psychological health risks.

Angeline Stephens, a registered psychologist and manager for Student Support Services at the University of KwaZulu-Natal said female students from patriarchal homes are among those readjusting to home life.

“Although we have made legislative strides that recognise gender disparities, the social norms and cultural scripts that determine socially acceptable gendered behaviours are still largely patriarchal, heteronormative and cisgender,” she said.

Female students may be expected to fulfil domestic and care giving roles during lockdown.

“For those who may be engaged in study and formal work, these expectations and responsibilities may place additional stressors due to the challenges of having limited time, resources and energy to spend on work, study, and accessing social and peer support.

Also read: Teaching tips for parents during lockdown

These added responsibilities can impact student’s psychological health.

“In addition to the stressors associated with the lockdown, female students and workers may additionally experience feelings of frustration, anger, isolation and negative affect as a result of family expectations that they fulfil gendered domestic and care giving roles. Resistance to fulfilling these roles may also lead to feelings of guilt and shame, especially if there are young children involved. It is understandable then, how these stressors may compound feelings of anxiety and depression,” said Stephens.

While gender expectations can be oppressive, students who do not identify with a specific gender face social prejudice if their families and communities are not accepting of such gender fluidity.

Also read: How Covid-19 affects your mental health

“Under lockdown conditions, many may be forced to conform to socially acceptable dichotomous masculine and feminine identities and behaviours that may not be aligned to their own identities. It is possible that students who are gender and sexually non-conforming may experience increased feelings of isolation and alienation during the lockdown, especially in the absence of social, peer and NGO support,” said Stephens.

Stephens encouraged students to build up their psychological resilience by focusing on their strengths.

“Mindfulness strategies that include breathing exercises and journaling may also be useful, as would meditation, yoga and exercise,” she said.

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