The hidden struggles behind men's anger: An expert breaks it down

Quick-to-anger responses among men are often more than just instinct. Clinical psychologist Dr Saths Cooper says this is often rooted in unresolved trauma, social conditioning, and a society still grappling with its violent history.

"It's a learned response, we've been socialised into it," says Cooper.

"Moreover, a country with a history like South Africa has is the perfect breeding ground for this anger," he adds.

Suggesting that many people are like tinderboxes, waiting to explode.

"You've just got to scratch and the person will respond in an angry, almost domineering, if not threatening manner."

Unresolved trauma and unacknowledged anger are closely linked, said Cooper.

Cooper added that unresolved trauma is particularly prevalent in South Africa.

"We've not dealt with the intergenerational mechanisms where trauma gets transmitted wittingly or unwittingly but express acts or words...of violence."

One of the issues is that men are not being taught how to express their anger in a healthy way.

The result is that many men react in anger at the slightest provocation.

"It's a primary, instinctual, reactive response that's becoming embedded in our repertoire of behaviour in this country."

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Clement Manyathela speaks to Dr Saths Cooper, a Clinical Psychologist about anger in men.

Listen below: