Five sexist things daughters hear from their parents but shouldn't have to

Sexist Things Daughters Hear: The world has numerous expectations from women. We are required to be beautiful, soft spoken, well mannered and more. The internalised bias of Indian parents is evident in the different ways in which they treat their sons and daughters.

While parents teach their daughters to be a good cook, multitalented and reserved. They tell their sons to be grow to be outgoing, noisy and financially independent.

Your brothers will never be asked questions regarding their life choices. But you will have to deal with one hurdle after the other because your parents want you to behave "like a girl".

Five sexist things daughters hear from their parents but shouldn't have to

1. Ye sab sasural mein nahi chalega

As women are seen as paraya dhan, they are constantly reminded that one day they must go to their "own house". They cannot act according to their wish there. So, they should learn to "behave well" while they are still unmarried. Raja Betas are flawless. They have no shortcomings and they need not worry if their in laws will accept them or not.

2. You have a job now, you should "settle down"

As soon as Indians meet a woman who earns, the only thing that strikes them is that it's their responsibility to get her married. Apparently, they were just waiting for her to get a job so that they could start looking for rishtas. In their opinion, women cannot have any plans other than marriage after she is employed? However, marriage is not placed at a pedestal for men. They are never asked to hurry to tie the knot just because they aren't jobless anymore.

3. Why are you stepping out wearing shorts?

The sexualisation of a woman's body starts right from the moment she is born. Men are free to dress according to their wish. No one ever points a finger at them questioning them about their choice of clothes. But the same does not apply to women. They cannot choose a single outfit for themselves without considering log kya kahenge. 

4. No one will marry an overweight man

Body shaming is a pressing issue for both men and women. It must however be noted that when it comes to marriage, men are not forced to "lose weight" and fit into the beauty standards set by the society. Whereas, it not quite the same for women. They are expected to look "physically appealing" because probably that's everything what matters in her case. She might be a strong and independent woman but if she isn't "slim", do her accomplishments even matter?

5. We shouldn't have given you so much freedom

Why is freedom considered as a privilege for women and a right for men? Aren't all of us entitled to our share of independence? If a woman faces an unforeseen circumstance for which she is not responsible in any way, her parents immediately blame it on the freedom they "allowed" her to enjoy. Funny thing men aren't ever blamed for "misusing" their freedom to harm women by making their lives tough.