How long will we let our “customs” come in the way of our sisters and daughters leading a fulfilling live? Why do we live physically in the 21st century and sentimentally in the last century? How long shall we curb their potential and restrict them to being doting housewives and all-sacrificing mothers?
Why do we raise our daughters with the thought of dowry in mind? I had the chance to read an article by a woman recently where she described a harrowing experience in which the mother of a prospective groom took her out in the sunlight to make sure she was really as fair as she appeared indoors. Ridiculous! Let us also not forget how parents are willing to give huge dowries to sons-in-law who are well-off and preferably working abroad. Women may be lucky to get such “prized catches”, but please remember that even men may need to be similarly lucky to get understanding, wonderful wives.
It’s sad to think that in a modern and progressing India, there are still families where grandmothers tell their daughters that their grand-daughters have studied enough, and it’s time to look for a husband now. From a young age, girls grow up seeing their brothers being given preference and importance, and accept this as a way of life. Unfortunately, they come to accept the thought that they’re worth less than their male siblings. And even more unfortunately, thanks to their lovely and overbearing families, they incorporate these same values into their lives when they marry and have families of their own.
I personally dislike feminism a tad bit more than I dislike male chauvinism and false shows of machismo, so such a post by me could be thought of as a pretty big deal. It’s time to wake up. Women are capable of doing most things as well as men; and in some cases, doing things better than men. Let your daughters and sisters breathe. Give them choice, freedom… give them life!

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