Family stereotyping is one of the worst experiences a woman may have in her life, as her only source of support becomes the source of sexism and prejudice. When women are mistreated at home, how can they feel equal outside?
Gender stereotypes are one of society's major issues, sowing the seeds of discrimination. Many families have a tendency to treat boys and girls differently, which is detrimental to a developing society. A child's fundamental knowledge originates at home, and if their family adopts stereotyped views at home, the children will do so outside of the home, which is fatal to an equal society. Here are ten stereotypes that women encounter at home.
10 Stereotypes At Home That Are Extremely Tiring
Finding Women's Fault In Harassment
Victim blaming stands as one of the major problem in our society. If a girl gets assaulted or harassed, not only the society but her own family starts pointing out her errors. From dress to behaviour, everything about her is scrutinised to justify the behaviour of the harasser and find one fault in the girl that caused all this which is disappointing.
Dividing House Chores Based On Gender
This problem prevails in many Indian homes. House work like cooking, washing is supposed to be women's work while men are responsible for outside work like going to market for errands or looking after the family shop. Women are kept away from family business and are even not allowed to sit in conversations related to business and property.
Women Can't Travel Alone
While it is justified for the family to be worried about their child's safety when travelling alone, they should not stop them from doing so. If the woman can take care of all her things and safety during the travel then she can travel alone. You cannot keep your girl at home just because of the risk of getting in trouble. And if you are doing so, then you should not allow your son as well as he too is your child and his safety is your concern.
Women Will Get Spoiled If They Move Out
Girls who move out to a different city for studies or work are simply tagged as spoiled just because they start wearing short clothes (of their choice), shopping, living a different life (of their choice) and gathering experience and hence opinions (of their choice). It is just that the society is not used to the idea of independent women living on their terms. There is no such issue with the men at all.
Women Should Not Make Many Guy Friends
First of all they would get upset with your guy friends. If they are open minded, they would believe in the absurd notion of 'Ek ladka aur ek ladki kabhi dost nahi ho sakte' and keep a close watch on you both. Going out alone with them is not allowed no matter how close your friends are to your family. They also tend to fear the judgment of relatives and ask you to avoid meeting your guy friends when relatives are around.
Don't Speak Up Against Judgmental Relatives
Relatives are the worst enemy in everyone's life as they are an unavoidable part of family that affect you directly. So even if they are saying something wrong, discriminating or sexist, you cannot school them and tell them what's right. All this because they are elder, related and have a big mouth and in no time, the entire family will know that you talked back to them. And that's what your family fears, gossip!
Late Night Shifts Are Not Allowed
Late nights for girls are a nightmare to the family. There are many families who do not allow their girls to do night shifts and even make them quit jobs that demand so. They do not trust their girls and their dreams and simply give in to the fear of their safety. At the same time they are not trying to create a safer society by preaching the right things to the boys. They should support them in all ways possible instead of abandoning their dreams.
Behave like a woman
The society does not believe in the rules of grammar and actions and verbs like sitting, talking, laughing, laying, walking, eating, dressing, speaking etc., all have gender based divisions. The style of every action is different for a girl and a boy and if you don't follow it, you do not belong to your gender, or sometimes even your family. Absurd yet true.
Dress Properly Because Log Kya Kahenge
And if you say, "I don't dress to impress", get ready to get grounded for at least a week. According to them, your dress should be 'decent' enough so that the neighbours don't stare at you or gossip about you. This means, no cleavage, no short length dresses and no off shoulders.
Get Married Early Kyuki Baad Mein Dikkat Hoti Hai
Bache paida karne mein!! The obsession of Indian families with marriage is unavoidable and unbearable. No amount of convincing can make them understand that you don't want to get married or don't want to have kids. Their only goal is to get you married at an age that can not create complications in pregnancy. Grandchildren become their top priority once you cross 25.
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