Everyone around us keeps saying – “Woman’s life is difficult.” But, the truth is woman’s life isn’t difficult. Rather it is made difficult by the same society that tells us how difficult it is to be a woman! But, how could we even expect anything different from a ‘Ghar-ka-chirag obsessed society’ that sees women as a burden from the day we are born.
From their childhood, society conditions women to lose their individuality. We are raised to be someone’s daughter or Mrs. So and so or someone’s mother!
Women are given a huge list of dos and don’ts! What we should expect or what we shouldn’t! What career should we pursue so that it is convenient for our husband and kids? No one ever cares to know about what we wish or dream for.
We are told to dream but don’t expect them to fulfill.
Remember in the DDLJ movie, how Simran’s mother (Farida Jalal) tells her daughter (Kajol) the very same thing: “Sapne dekho, zaroor dekho … bus unke poore hone ki shart mat rakho”. These lines depict the reality of so many young women.
In the end, no one cares about what we want or desire. And, society ensures that we understand that we are born to cater to the needs of others – parents, husband, kids, in-laws, etc.
We are told to dump our own happiness and find satisfaction in others’ happiness. We are told to enjoy success in our husband’s or our kids’ success. We are told to fulfill our life purpose by sacrificing ourselves for the sake of others. Throughout our marriage, we are forced to adjust and mold into someone we never wanted to become.
For thousands of years, we, women have been fighting against the very same society for basic rights. Even though many may say, things are changing. But are they?
Why does is it feel we are still bearing the similar burden of unrealistic expectations that our mothers and grandmothers carried?
Why do women still give so much to the relationships than they ever get back?
Why are we expected to be there for others, but to be alone when we need them?
Why are we still expected to kill a part of ourselves to keep others happy? Why are we expected to take pride in sacrificing ourselves for other’s happiness?
Dear Society, it’s very easy to ask – why didn’t you take a stand for yourself? Why don’t you fight for yourself? But why women have to fight for the things that men get as birthright?
Why can’t we have the basic right to work on our dreams without being expected to sacrifice them for others? Why can’t we wear things that we like without being judged? Why can’t we roam safely on the roads of our own country? Why can’t we be accepted as divorcees as men are? Why do we need to be shamed for being divorced?
Women keep sacrificing for others and still made to feel as if she has done nothing ‘Great’! Because it’s ‘kartavya‘ of a woman to sacrifice for husband and kids! But, why just women? Why can’t society treat women like human beings and stop treating us like objects to please others? Why can’t women enjoy the right to live her life on their own terms and condition? Why is being a woman made so difficult?
So next time, dear society when you tell me that women’s life is difficult, remember you are the reason why it is so!
