In our society and also in the world at large, is a woman considered as an individual? or, is she seen in relation to other persons, a wife, a mother, a daughter-in-law, a homemaker, etc. and more over as an object? The answer is Yes, She is. We all know this as a fact and we want to change this age old perspective of a woman. In this 21st century. We would like to see her as a citizen of her country, her town or village. We would like to see her in different roles, just as a business woman, a lawyer, a doctor, a teacher an artist and what not! We have to bring changes in the attitudes of the society in such manner that a woman is able to peruse her own interests, her own career and her own way of life. Efforts are being made continuously since say more than hundred years. Yet, we have not progressed much and now we have to act on a war-footing. It seems we might have progressed at the same time! We have to find out, analyze and tackle issues hindering the progress of a woman and thereby of our society. These issues are all pervading in our society affecting cross-sections of the society. They encompass all the people - rich and poor, high caste or low caste, from all the parts of India and from cities or villages.
The scenario is horrible in the villages of india. It is very ugly in cities but unpardonable in villages. Some of the malpractices are growing cancerously. Fighting all efforts towards a change, coming out in different masks every time.
Let us have a look at such evils of our society that are restricting and denying a woman in her search towards her own fulfillment and there by keeping back our society in its journey towards progress and also drawing a negative image of India and its ancient culture about which we are so proud.
1) Too much preference for a male-child vs. a girl- child.
Number of evils have generated from this age old attitude. Though number of societies of the world are patriarchal, in India, the preference for a male-child, male domination, practices of subjugating women are stretched beyond their limits.
A man is economically independent since ages and so a male-child is advantageous to a family. He is a pillar of strength in a large family.
A woman is dependent economically throughout her life on someone or the other. How much she may labour in a home, serve family members yet she was not a bread-winner till today and so she was and is considered a burden to the family.
A burden is always to be got rid off and our society has discovered various ways for that in all its ages. Let us have a glimpse of the life journey of a woman. There are all the changes that a female- fetus can be done away with mercilessly with the help of sonography given information. Yet, she is born, thanks to her parents and grand- parents. Then, mostly she is ignored in her childhood and is not treated at par with her brother or brothers. This creates an inferiorly complex in her. She is to be given away in marriage and sent to her in - laws family so she grows up under many restrictions, like a bonsai. She remains like a bonsai through out her life as restrictions and strict treatment are much more in in-law's home.
She keeps on living at the mercy of the in - laws. If the in - laws decide. For more and more 'dahej' and if she is mot able to bring it from her parents, she has a great danger to her life. She can be done away with mercilessly. Cases of bride-burning, suicides of brides are innumerable in our society. A woman is constantly at arising to her life. Still, women live. They live with insults, etc. And all these make them hard from inside. Over the years. The hatred in their hearts comes out hitting the newcomer daughter-in-law generating a vicious circle.
This scenario amply depicts where we are and where lies our destination defined in the beginning of our discussion. Violence against women is rampant in our society. Violence may be vocal, physical, life-threatening of our discussion. Violence cuts across all layers of society. Doctors, lawyers, social workers come across such cases often. Number of social organizations are active in the field of violence against women and but their efforts fall short and sometimes they face apposition from society resulting in no-change in society.
Media has a big role to play in bringing change in all the aspects of society. In fact, it has to play a role of a catalyst for change. It has to play its role very responsibly. Sometimes it seems that TV Serials, press, etc. want to take society backwards re-emphasizing old values and practices which have irrelevant.
If we can depict positive role-models before the society, it will convey the message in a positive manner. Role- models where... |
Though joint family system has many advantages and has good points in its favor, it has some disadvantages also. It is so particularly from the point of view of the growth of an individual. In a joint family an individual cannot lead his or her life as he or she chooses. He or she has to consider family interests first and then only his or her own interest. He or she cannot take decisons about his or her life without considering wishes of the elders. And wishes of the elders was or rather is law in Indian joint family. Decisions about marriage, whom not to was the concern solely of elders of a family and sons and daughters had no say in that matter though they were the party who were being married off. In times of yester years we used to watch such issues depicted.
In perusing careers and professions also, parents retain their veto power and dictate their preferences to their wards. We come across number of cases where views of younger and older generation do not see eye to eye and teenagers submit to their elders.
Such a situation becomes more difficult for daughter -in -law! She is the upholder of all the values in a family and provider of all the services to all the members of a family. Mother-in-law, sister-in-law, brother -in - law, all look to her for their petty demands and conveniences. She has to live for the family and has no time for herself ever to that extent that she has no time to spend with her husband.
Such a situation is frustrating for the young and hampers a woman's growth and suppresses her initiative. In this age, joint family system used not be idealized. It may be good for some, may not be for others. If people are happy in a joint family, so much so good, if not, there used not be any compulsion to live together in big families was a way of life that way of life is changing with the time. Adoration and idealization of values of the past are uncalled for these days. |
Life of a window is very restrictive in a Hindu society. She has to live with so many dos and don'ts that it becomes a negation of life. Society show mercy to her and lets her live on, suppressing her life force at every step. Hindu society was so cruel to women that they had to commit 'sat:' not so old past. Then, women were saved from submitting to the funeral pyre without their wishes but they were meted out treatment which was wholly unsympathetic. In cities, the situation is improving but in villages the situation remains the same.
Today, education, economic independence are promoted. Government launches number of schemes for the amelioration of women, non- governmental organizations are working for the emancipation and empowerment of women since decades, yet, such efforts are a drop in the ocean. The sea of deep-rooted attitude and mal-practices washes away so many efforts with good intentions. So, opposition to any wrong practice. The problem is of the whole society and his to be tackled by all the members of the society.
When we talk of the economic independence, we should not assume that it is the solution of all evils, In-laws are very an earning daughter-in-law, they can ask for inherited property from her parents and if not satisfied they can create a hell for her. Here, the woman has to be firm and protect her own rights. She should be aware of laws, which are favorable to her. |
