Here's Why Self-Growth, Not Marriage, Can Make You Feel Complete

When I was small, my mother always said, "Become something in life. Only then I will get you married." This isn't a common statement in most households as many are made to believe marriage is the ultimate goal. However, my upbringing pushed me to understand the difference and me the career-oriented woman I am today.

In our society, it is very common for women to believe that marriage is the ultimate aim of life. And what is the reason behind it? The societal misconception is that a woman is incomplete without a man. This is the reason why women feel the need to have a man in life and put a tick mark on the character card by getting married despite being happy as a single working woman. They are pressured to push back their ambitions and focus on the possibilities of fishing for a good groom. 

Why are men necessary to feel complete?

I was recently watching an interview in which PV Sindhu was questioned about her dating life. Even though Sindhu has won many feats in life and is now eyeing at 2024 Olympics, people are more curious and concerned about her marriage or dating plans. But shutting down such questions, Sindhu rightly said, "Right now, it's just badminton for me. My ultimate aim is the Olympics."

This is exactly what women today need to learn. They need to understand that marriage might be an important milestone in life but not a necessity. It is okay for a woman to not want marriage or delay it. Women must first learn to be happy with themselves. They should be proud of their professional identity. They should be able to pat their back for all their career achievements. Women should prioritise careers as much as men in our society do. 

Women should feel complete with themselves

Many poets and writers have said that a human comes alone and has to depart alone. Then why should women be given unrealistic lessons that they have to connect their lives with their husbands? Or that their life is valid only until they are married? In past of course such ideas used to be practiced through sati. If we look closely, today too we disregard unmarried women by ill-treating widows and character-assassinating single women.  

Marrying just to feel complete is not the right reason. A woman should be able to feel complete with her career, growth and self-love. 

It's about time women are taught the importance of self-growth in life. They need to be educated to feel happy and complete with themselves. They should be happy and well-sustained on their own. Having a man or not should be a choice and not a need. Only then will women's empowerment make sense.  

Views expressed are the author's own.