Levels of rage bait higher than ever, say students who moved home for the summer

Researchers are increasingly interested in the current phenomenon of parental rage bait. In a newly released study from the Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, students surveyed reported they have “had enough of their parents’ intergenerational trauma.”

“Rage bait”—is a common phrase to refer to why you don’t come to visit as often. 

Patrick Garner, a second-year engineering student at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), says ever since returning to his hometown of Belleville, Ont., he has had to deal with increasingly tedious rage baiting from his father daily.

“Ever since I got home from school he’s been different. All he does is complain about immigrants and hoaxes,” said Garner. “Anytime I try to call him out for his ignorance he starts freaking out. He keeps telling me immigrants didn’t exist when he was young.”

“I don’t know where he is getting this logic but it’s getting harder everyday to keep my mouth shut. Paying $2,300 rent looks more appealing than ever,” continued Garner. 

Students say they often overlook the rage bait due to a few factors: Mom’s cooking, free groceries and most commonly, dog that is getting really old.

Other students shared similar stories of rage bait, some even telling reporters that they are considering taking summer courses to avoid it.

The survey also found that 76 per cent of households have reported an increase in the phrase, “Oh I’m such a bad mother.”

Fourth-year sociology student Jenna Patel told reporters that her mother is operating at “the highest levels of rage bait she has ever seen.”

“I corrected my mom when she misgendered the worker—who had their pronouns on their name tag—at Tim Hortons,” Patel shared. “After we left she told me TMU is making me too woke. According to her, that person was ‘obviously a girl.’ I had to walk away.”

Researchers are still investigating the phenomenon, with many doubtful they will ever find a reason.