I think it is an established fact that more than our parents or the people who are really close to us, the society wants to protect us or rather show us where we belong. I can bet that every girl who reads this will be able to identify more or less with it, because let’s face it; this nation is full of morons. They are the reason why Vogue empower launches all those ads, they are the reason why a million blogs on women empowerment have come up in the last 3-4 years and they are also the reason why girls have become feminazis instead of feminists.
Here are a few instances when I was reminded that I am a girl and I shouldn’t fly too high –
Going out late in the night – PG, hostel, a rented flat, no matter where you live I am sure the owner or your neighbors have been heard saying, “Ladki ko itni raat ko ghar ke bahar nahi jana chahiye.” It is partially about the girl’s safety and the rest is about what the other people will think.
I don’t want to get MARRIED – The society believes that every girl has to be married in order to be a complete women. Also, if she doesn’t get married then who will take care of her? And sex? Will she ever have kids? How will she live alone her entire life?
While you’re looking for a job – There should be a booklet for this which should have all the guidelines, like – which jobs suit girls, which don’t, what are the ideal working hours. Also, what are the possible fields in which women can work.
Travelling solo – You know India is unsafe for women, akeli ladki khuli hui tijori ki tarah hoti hai, inviting and irresistible.
While drinking and smoking – Girls who drink and smoke are considered besharam, nobody will marry them or take them to be cultured. Also, it reflects on their upbringing and character. SLUT!
Talking to random people on Facebook – Girls who talk to random people do not know their limits, they want to lure men, make sure they get noticed. They go all out to attract men and are a menace to the family.
I don’t like to cook – It is the duty of a girl to cook and make sure the family loves what she cooks and feels satisfied. The girl should be taught how to cook well in time and when a guy comes to check out if she is marriage material or not, she should cook her way into the new family.
Fight: verbal or physical – Girls apparently jump into trouble the minute they step into a fight because people can do things to them. Girls should ideally never raise their voice, should be docile, should cry silent tears but not speak out of turn.
When people cry – Crying is women’s forte, their biggest weapon, they cry to get things, to make people believe in them, to make people do things for them, in short almost everything. Also, if a boy or a man cries then he is being a girl.
Oomph factor (inappropriate clothes) – Indian culture says that women should be covered, they are the respect of their family and the pride of their fathers, if they wear anything that is even remotely skin showing, they are attracting attention. And if someone calls her a slut then she probably asked for it.
The bottom line is that no matter what you do, the world will label you. Hence, I feel thinking too much won’t help. YOLO!
If Indian mentality fails at a point, it is the gender biasing. We are happily letting our guys live the life as per their will but restrict our daughters. Being in the 21st century, it is time to get some sense and let our girls fly with the wings as strong as our guys. I still see this as a long process. On a hand, we need to strengthen our girls while on the other, we need to teach our boys to respect their female counterparts.
If Indian mentality fails at a point, it is the gender biasing. We are happily letting our guys live the life as per their will but restrict our daughters. Being in the 21st century, it is time to get some sense and let our girls fly with the wings as strong as our guys. I still see this as a long process. On a hand, we need to strengthen our girls while on the other, we need to teach our boys to respect their female counterparts.