Virat Kohli Changes Twitter Bio To “Proud Husband and Father” And This Is Why It Is Special

Cricketer Virat Kohli has changed his Twitter bio to “a proud husband and father” following the birth of his daughter. The Indian team cricket captain is on paternity leave, right now, something which made headlines in India, as many fans questioned his choice since India was on an “important” tour of Australia. For these fans, Kohli should have put his duty towards the country over his duty as a husband and father. Is the change in Twitter bio Kohli’s answer to his critics then?

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It is very common for women to include their roles as moms and wives in their Twitter bios. We see it as an integral part of identity and it doesn’t bother us when what we do for a living to co-exists with our marital status, etc., in our social media bio, for public consumption. While there are many men who do not shy away from saying that they are proud dads and husbands in their bios, most men stick to stating their professional or social achievements. It is something about how girls and boys are conditioned in our society and instilled with a different set of priorities and what should be of value to them.

Girls are often taught that once they grow up, their first and foremost duty lies towards their family. That their roles as a wife and mother are an integral part of their existence, which in fact grants them a higher status in the society. While a lot of women may write “proud wife and mother” out of nothing but love in our bios, is it possible that it is because we cannot shake off these core values? Doesn’t society judge women who prioritise their work-life more harshly? Aren’t they subjected to trolling and scrutiny for putting their work first and family life second? Keeping this in mind, is it possible that writing about our marital status is also a part of women’s defence mechanism, as it grants us a certain validation and softens society’s gaze towards our lives?

On the other hand, men still are expected to focus more on their work and expressing pride and love for their wife or child is seen as a kind of vulnerability. Men must not express their emotions should always put all sorts of interests- national, economical, professional, above their desire to simply be more connected with their family. It is this sort of expectation that has been so normalised, that fans felt Virat Kohli should focus on a cricket series rather than be by his wife Anushka Sharma’s side for her delivery. Isn’t fatherhood a monumental occasion for any man? Can any career milestone ever match the joy of becoming a parent (when the decision is not forced on you) irrespective of gender? Then why must not a man flaunt it?

Also Read: Virat Kohli Is Not On A Holiday: Why Paternity Leave Shouldn't Be Seen As Privilege

Between women who uninhibitedly flaunt motherhood and matrimony on their Twitter bios and men who keep it professional is a large space, wherein the alternatives for these two can fit for each gender. It is okay for a woman to not write about her marital status, or to not speak on motherhood, she shouldn’t be judged for it. Similarly, we should cheer for men who celebrate fatherhood and are support their partners in both personal and public spheres openly. Every number on this spectrum should grow, the only thing that should lessen is social scrutiny and our tendency to stereotype each gender.

Image Credit: Anushka Sharma/ Instagram

The views expressed are the author's own.