Showing posts with label Decoding Society. Show all posts

An Intolerant India?

I am amazed at the amount of media attention, mind space and conversational footage the topic is attracting. I wonder - is it so easy for VIP's and celebrities to pass statements, which have far reaching influence, without giving it a second thought? A recent comment by aamir khan, stating that his wife feared for the safety of their child in India, as such, should they plan for relocating to another country?, made me pay attention to the topic which otherwise I was choosing to ignore, considering it to be politically driven. Can comments by a few political leaders make someone as educated and socially aware as Kiran Rao Khan feel unsafe? A lady, who has produced and directed socially relevant movies like Peepli live (which plays out the media drama of a farmer willing to commit suicide) can be so naive to be fearful of her safety based on few comments by politicians. Besides, she is herself a Hindu married to a Muslim as such should fully understand these hateful sentiments are not of the majority of Hindus.

Intolerance: Some Facts


 Facts Speak Another Language
The facts show a different perspective. Recently, Times of India reported that the number of deaths due to communal riots is less in the year 2015 compared to 2014, a report, which occupies miniscule space in the corner. While, the Aamir comment and counter comments hog the majority of space.

Another news in the same paper on 27 November 2015, bestowed the same fate, is that Muslims arranged Rs. 50,000 bail amount to secure release of Hindus jailed for petty crimes.

Thriving Stars
Can the three Khans thrive, flourish, be respected, regarded and loved in an intolerant Hindu dominant country? How can such a star feel unsafe? Does he not possess the sensibilities to recognize that most of the comments and incidents are politically driven? Has he suddenly stopped feeling the over whelming love bestowed by his fans? Has he forgotten the box office record-breaking results of his movie PK that questioned religious fundamentalism, illogical religious practices and beliefs including Hinduism? Was it the intolerant India, which was going in hordes and watching the movie, making it the biggest commercial success of its time? 

Give me another such example, from any other country, where the general populace loves and adores the cinema stars of a minority community, the way India does. Can this love really come out of intolerance?

 Returning the Awards
Started by Nayantara Sahgal, the act of returning of awards has been emulated by other literati as well. Incidentally, she is Pandit Nehru's niece, obviously with a soft corner for congress. However, the returning the award is no longer confined to India, a Pakistani director Khalid Hassan awarded by Delhi International Film Festival (DIFF) has also decided to do so. Quite ironical, isn't it? Countries populated by those who issue fatwa, it appears are safe and tolerant. Each and every country of the world has seen hate crimes, in the name of race, caste, creed, religion, belief, gender, or even sexual orientation, take place. It doesn't prompt the people to return national awards or contemplate of leaving the country. It raises the question then, what is intolerance? Are we using the word correctly? Or are we just flowing in the wave of some politically motivated agenda. 

No doubt some of the events cited as reasons for returning of the awards are deplorable and should be condemned. No amount of justification can condone them. At the same time, they cannot be allowed to remain unnoticed and a mechanism to draw attention and a proper recourse, such that future such occurrence can be prevented, is required.  However, I fail to appreciate, such extreme steps like the returning of National awards and issuing of statements as mentioned above, as a measure of showing ones protest or drawing attention. A signature campaign by prominent personalities itself could have had the desired impact without the controversy or politicizing it. In fact, these actions seem to take the limelight away from the main issues.
Food for Thought
Is the issue really intolerance or is just a function of the current proliferation of social media and the ability to exaggerate things exponentially in no time.
Are we witnessing a manifestation of viral marketing where quick publicity can be derived from whatever hot topic is running at the time and the more people delve into it, the longer it lingers? It is almost giving a feeling that we are evolving and experimenting with the power of internet and social media connectivity and we do not understand to what limit we can go and how damaging and detrimental it can get.
Is this something like a nuclear bomb to think of it as an extreme where once a chain reaction starts it is difficult to stop and one does not know the extent of damage?
Let's look at some events in the past, where, I can remember "Ice Bucket Challenge", a social cause which went quite viral across the world but was designed to stop somewhere as interest or impact reduced with time. The social policing issues, the recent women menstruation issue. Maybe when it gets politically motivated, on time-tested hot domains including religion, the impact would be far greater and far longer, and that is what we are witnessing today.
The article was penned when Aamir Khan's issue triggered this thought. Is it a possibility that there is a movie round the corner and this is a test of new marketing and publicity? If it pans out positively, as envisioned, the impact on the business bottom-line of the movie would be large. If it doesn’t, Indians are actually extremely tolerant, a simple sorry or a justifiably acceptable answer, of which some indications have already started coming, would be enough for everyone to forgive and forget. Though still being top of mind in terms of marketing, generate a huge response again, for an Aamir Khan movie.

 Incoming Search Terms :

Intolerance, Politics, Political
Decoding Society

9 Solutions to Successful Parenting

Parenting, in today’s times, is probably one of the most difficult and complex tasks. The moment you think you have got a hang of it and are in charge, something happens, and you are flummoxed what to do. In office, bring on the most complex of situations and decisions and see them fly off the table. On the other hand, you have your child throwing a tantrum in a mall or in front of friends and family; you fail to do anything worthwhile to rectify the situation. Recently, during the PTM (parent teacher meeting) the teachers asked us to share parenting tips with other parents (Our children are just a year apart and hence most of the times they both have had same teachers teaching them. Now in 12th and 11th the children have been in the school since Nursery). For a moment I was surprised, my kids were the usual teenagers giving us the same pain as any other teenager would do. Why this request? Then I recollected that my neighbors, family, friends and even colleagues had said the same thing. I had always assumed that they were humoring me and smiled back politely. Anyway, then I thought it would be a good idea to write down what we think worked for us. Nothing would be better than to know it may help someone as well. So, here it goes

Successful Parenting Tips

1.      Allow your child to make a blunder  
Yes I mean it. Allow your child to make a big mistake when she is very young. Let it not be a mistake which will bring physical or long term harm. Probably something reversible yet, conspicuous enough to be noticed by others, especially your child’s friends. Warn her appropriately so that she does not believe that you led on deliberately. Let her be told by her friends what a big mistake it was. Let me share an example, by the time my daughter turned 7 she has long lustrous hair, which was an effort to maintain for me, but I did it because my husband loved them on her. Looking at the different short cut hair styles her friends had, my daughter too wanted them cut short. She had been requesting me for almost a year and I had always been telling her that they were beautiful and a rare possession and also reminding her that daddy likes it this way. Still she kept asking for her hair to be cut. Finally, I got it done the way she wanted. My husband was appropriately furious and didn’t speak to me for almost 2 days while my daughter was absorbing all this. In the meantime, next day at school, almost all her teachers and friends were shocked and asked her why she cut her beautiful hair. She did not receive a single complement (as she had expected) rather the opposite reaction. After two days she came back to me and said she was sorry that she didn’t listen to me and that her parents was right in not letting her cut her hair. She promised that she would always follow our suggestions. This one instance was not only etched in her memory but also an example for her brother. From then on whether it was a sleepover, collective study, certain dresses, party or visit to the mall with friend without supervision, I would say that this is our opinion and you can decide whatever you feel like, the only thing is that you are responsible for your actions and the resultant consequences. Not even on a single occasion (which mattered) she has done anything other than as per our suggestion.

2.      Teach your children

Primary years are the most crucial to a child’s mental development. These are the formative years when the mental faculties are being developed; the years when the basic value system is being imbibed. There are explicit and subtle messages which a parent transmits sometimes consciously and most of the time unconsciously. While teaching the regular school curriculum, it gives you the opportunity to spend quality time as well share your thought and feelings. Through this process you can inculcate work style and methodology for targeted results. Interestingly the schools are playing a very supportive role here by assigning projects way beyond child’s capability. You are bound to help out. There is a strong urge to outsource such projects in order to avoid the hassle or even to submit professional quality work so that the teacher would praise the child. It is worthwhile the effort in terms of the collective learning and fun that comes from such exercises. Let the child do most of the simple stuff and the difficult or the complex part can be finished by you, however all this while you should be together. In case it is difficult to spare time during the week, do it on the weekends instead of outings/window shopping. I was so focused and particular about it that one day I reached home earlier than usual. Upon seeing me my son’s reaction was not of being delighted as I had expected rather, “Now you will teach us”.

3.      Learn to let go

As hand holding and togetherness is important in primary wing, it becomes equally important or if I may say so, more important to start letting go in the secondary wing. It is more difficult now than the previous stage because you would have become habituated to being part of your child’s life and decisions. However, conscious and systematic withdrawal and allowing your child to be independent is critical at this stage for the next thrust. For example, I used to prepare and correct work sheets and tests for the kids. As a first step, in fifth grade, I stopped checking and told them to check on their own. We mentally prepared for a dip in academic performance and it did happen. As together we were mentally prepared, it was not given a second thought.  In sixth, the kids made their own work sheet and I would check. Their performance also was back to normal. Finally, by seventh they would make their own worksheets and check on their own. I was involved to the extent of clarifying doubts if any.  Slowly, they were completely independent doing all projects, assignments, preparing for tests and examinations. The sense of achievement and appreciation from teachers and friends acted as food for fire. By now they were scheduling their own study time. In eight, we stopped going to parent teacher meetings (went once in a while when it was mandatory, or rather kids would say that this time you should go). The message to children; be responsible for your own actions. For any outstanding performance either way, the teachers would call us, if need be. Off course, the occasion never arose.

4.      Never try to compensate lack of time

Today, life is so much more complex than it used to be. The more gadgets we have the more we are pressed for time. We are multitasking more than ever before, yet we seem to have less and less time on hand. The need and desire for everything to be perfect around us is becoming stronger. Even if it is not perfect the pressure is to create the perception around that things are perfect. Hence, in this endeavor time management takes a backseat. Working women or otherwise we seem to compensate lack of time spent, with children, by gifts, treats etc. The kid’s wardrobes are full of games, toys and other technologically advanced recreational tools. Their hearts and minds are deprived of you. In fact over time you start becoming the intrusion because by then, they have created their world where there is little space for you. The children also start equating love to money spent on them because this is what we have taught them.

5.      Say No and mean it

Refusing unfair requests and demands of your children is difficult especially when they are being insistent; emotionally challenging you that their friends get a better deal from their parents. Being firm and accepting that we are the way we are requires determination. For example, my son wanted Xbox/Innuendo. We believed that he was already showing a minor aggressive streak and it would get aggravated further if he will play aggressive games where you shoot down people or drive cars rashly. He was very convincing, pleading and did many things academically and excelled in extracurricular activities too, to please us. It was probably one of the most difficult parenting decisions to buy a normal video game with different non aggressive actions, obviously not giving the same thrill as Xbox/innuendo.

6.      Your kids are your world

The kid’s should believe through your actions and the love that you shower through praise that your whole world is around them. They mean the world to you. You would love to involve them in all your decisions because their opinion matters. I had to switch jobs and we took due cognizance of my children’s opinion. Share your struggles, challenges and triumphs.

7.      Respect your elders

What you do, your children follow. Set an example of disobedient and uncaring children and that is what you can expect too. Give in to your parents, sometimes unreasonable demands. Your children are watching all the time and will emulate your behavior.

8.      Keep reiterating your values 

It would appear that neither are your kids listening nor do they care to listen to any amount of advice or caution that you talk about. Whatever you say seems to fall on deaf ears. Don’t worry; the kids will take all the right decisions at the right time. They will refuse all unsavory habits and/or behavior. Your grooming will ensure that they are reminded of the consequences at the right time. The values that you inculcate will come to the fore at just the right time.

9.      Build life skills

Get kids to do small odd jobs first. Then get them to help you in daily chores. This need not be a regular activity, just enough times that they acquire the skills to be able to handle independently if the need arose. Treat both the genders equally in imparting life skills whether it is cooking, making bed, running the washing machine, drying the clothes, and receiving, greeting and caring for guests, being tolerant of each other’s failings, focusing on solutions rather than problems and most importantly Value for money. For example, on my Son’s 15th Birthday my gift to him was to teach him to bake Chocolate Walnut Cake. He was delighted, he took it to school for classmates and teachers. He got many compliments from all especially because he had made it himself. His teachers asked for the recipe. He was on cloud nine. He immediately documented it and shared with all. He made me feel that I couldn’t have given him a better gift.

This has been the culmination of a stage of parenting where children have transitioned from infants to adolescents. Next stages would be the adulthood, marriage and their parenthood.  Each stage will require us to evolve and adapt ourselves to the changed scenario. At the crux would always be our love for our children and the determination to only guide while giving them space to take their own decisions with the responsibility for the same. 

 Incoming Search Terms :

Parenting Tips, Positive Parenting, Parenting Advice
Decoding Society

Should Celebrities be Responsible?


In the wake of recent events where Indian celebrities were in news for the wrong reasons; I am writing my thoughts down. Should the celebrities be held responsible for their behavior, actions, and endorsements? Should they be subject to higher standards of moral behavior? They possess the power to influence people from different walks of life: young and old, educated and uneducated, literate and illiterate, rural and urban, lawyer and sweeper, madam and maid alike. Does this power as a corollary requires them to follow utmost standards of conduct and character?

Maggie Noodles


The first refers to the Maggie noodles being banned by the Indian government for higher than permissible levels of Lead and MSG (Monosodium Glutamate). The concerned celebrity here was much respected (for her poise, elegance, unblemished conduct as a star) madhuri dixit. In the advertisements for the brand she has portrayed Maggie’s oats noodles as a healthy breakfast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLrIkW1SYtw). Obviously, on the controversy becoming a nationwide concern with the social media outburst from one and all and an amazing speed at which the consumers responded by shunning the product even before it was formally banned by the government, it spilled dirt on Madhuri Dixit’s spotless image. She was issued a notice by the government authority (Food and Drug Administration in Uttarakhand) to explain her claim in the ad. Advertisements, by other companies, featuring her were withdrawn quietly. Should she have been sent the notice? Should she be responsible for a product in whose manufacturing she had no role to play? Probably yes, a product that you are blatantly endorsing without verifying its credentials, knowing very well that many mothers would take your word to be true and feed their unsuspecting children a product which otherwise in their wildest of dreams they would not (Obviously, this quick adoption of Maggie was also due to its ease of preparation), makes you responsible; celebrity or not.  As in with rights come duties, so does responsibility come with power to influence.

Car Accident

Recently, hema malini, a renowned Bollywood actress of the 70’sand 80’s and a sitting MP was in a car accident. Her Mercedes collided with an Alto. The accident left the actress injured and with a broken nose. While the family in the Alto lost a 2 year girl and 5 others were hospitalized for fatal injuries.The times of India quotes the police as saying, "The impact of the over-speeding was such that after colliding with the Alto on the Jaipur-Agra national highway near Dausa, the Mercedes turned in the opposite direction, skidded for almost 50 metres and jumped over the road divider before coming to a halt, police said. Only a small portion of the Alto came in contact with the Mercedes, but the impact was enough to kill the girl and badly injure other passengers of the Alto." It appears, on analyzing the media reports that the Mercedes was speeding which hit the Alto and this catapulted into chain of events resulting in the death of the child. It was also reported that the MP was immediately whisked away for medical attention while the other car passengers had to wait for medical recourse. After 5 days, Hema Malini tweeted "My heart goes out to the child who unnecessarily lost her life and the family members who have been injured in the accident.  How I wish the girl's father had followed traffic rules, then this accident could have been averted and the little one's life saved", which came under flak. She put the blame on the girl’s father for not following traffic rules. While he has categorically claimed and the police also have not refuted that he had followed all rules and it was the Mercedes which was over speeding. He has further questioned whether a person who is influential can make any claim and get away with it. What is important is the discussion about attitude, behavior, believing and being responsible with the realization that they possess a power to influence societal behavior.
A point in case is also an advertisement featuring Alia Bhatt, a present day commercially successful actress, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4pjdO9-HNU) asking for a gentle shopkeeper’s help in watching out for her car, in her absence. When the shopkeeper stops a person from driving away with the vehicle, she appears and ridicules him that I asked you to watch only. Imagine with this backdrop and in today’s environment when people hesitate to help a damsel in distress for various reasons (including chances of her duping/robbing them) this advertisement will further dissuade people from helping genuine women for fear of ridicule or being made fun of for being simple and gullible.

Every profession has its ethics and etiquette and so should celebrities set such standards for themselves. A wanton greed for amassing wealth at whatever cost has never been and will never be a recipe for long term success, regard and respect besides love and affection of the public. Celebrities cannot absolve themselves by claiming that they are also human. In fact, they are alien to much of the daily drudgery of the common man.  No doubt, the celebrity status brings its own stress and tension. However, the least they can do is to uphold moral conduct and be responsible for their actions as they are not just their own, their actions influence many and define the fabric of the society even if in a minute way. 

 Incoming Search Terms :


Responsible, Socially Responsible, Celebrity
Decoding Society

What About The Boy Child?


It is politically correct to talk about woman empowerment and the girl child. We keep receiving numerous messages from different media and particularly the social media about not only the protection of girl child but also the redefined role of the girl in parent’s life.  This is good because there are still many sections of our society where the girl child is unwanted, suppressed or even exploited. Social awareness and psyche will change probably with repeated reinforcement.
Messages where comparison is made between son and daughter don’t sit well with me. At various platforms, I see, in order to uplift a gender we pull down the other. Why so?

Boys are at the receiving end of a lot of brick batting. We receive messages/stories sharing ugly details of how parents are being ill-treated by their sons. They do not take care of the parents. They abandon them in old age. The messages compare them to the daughters who are caring and compassionate. While there can be equal number of cases where the daughter’s might have meted out the same treatment. It tends to be overlooked because as a society we believe that prime responsibility of the parents care, in old age, lies with the son. If the daughter is not able to shoulder this responsibility she can excuse herself by saying that my in-laws/husband is not supportive. The same is not acceptable for the son. Not that I am saying that it should be. Only I am trying to put things in perspective.

Boys are Less Expressive

Both the genders have their strengths and weaknesses. Females by nature are more expressive while males tend to take care of things without being obvious. So it doesn't mean that they care any less.

Expectations from Sons

Expectations from sons far exceed from that of daughters. By the design of our society sons would care for their parents and daughters would be married and take care of the new family as daughter in law. This premise itself is in a flux. We are in a state of confusion; with fewer children compared to the previous generation we find it difficult to relinquish our hold (for want of better word) on the daughter. This way she is divided in her attention/time and energy between two boats. So whatever she is able to do for her parents is appreciated because by societal design she never was expected to. However, the role as daughter in law leaves a lot to be said as sailing two boats was never easy. I am sure some may be striking a healthy balance; here we are talking of the trend. So, the son and daughter in law become a package and the unfulfilled expectations remain.

Pampering the Daughter

On one hand I see girl child being oppressed and lacking opportunities to grow and develop, on the other I see the affluent class pampering the girls to their detriment. A mother claiming during discussion for marriage proposal that her daughter does not even lift a glass of water on her own is revolting. This statement for girl or boy (any human) is unacceptable. You can get as much help as you want or can afford; such a thought process is misplaced. I see many young girls and their parents taking pride in saying that they don’t know how to cook or carry out household responsibilities. We live in the age where people want to acquire newer and more skills and in this background taking pride in lacking basic life skill is not understandable. Aren’t we laying the seeds of frustration and failure? One does not know where your life will take you and what it will dish out so these basic skills should be acquired by both girls and boys. With the trend of double income families it is a collective responsibility to run the household. In fact married or single it is a basic life skill if not acquired will sometime or other leave you stranded.



Praising the Boy – is it a sin?

It has almost become a cardinal sin to praise your son publically because by default it is assumed that you are down playing your daughter. I see parents continuously justifying themselves to their daughters and others that they love them as much or probably more than their son. The daughter also knows how to play the card beautifully. So in uplifting the girl child we forgot the boy child somewhere along the journey. I see many families around me where the son is responsive, caring and shouldering house hold responsibilities along with the parents. While the daughter is arrogant and forever demanding only of her rights refusing to even acknowledge her duties.

Awareness of Rights

In the name of women empowerment and to reverse or stop the atrocities that were done on the girl child in the past and in many cases that continue even today, laws have become skewed and one sided. Has the girl child, in this new found awareness of rights, started misusing the same and now playing multiple cards, first the perennial victim and then the demanding autocrat? If you look around, the emotional card starts first, then subtle hints of their rights with the degree increasing to blatant demand over time. The question again – in empowering the girl child, are we doing it at the expense of the boy child?

Boys Stay with the Parents

By the design of our society sons stay with the parents (or are expected to) and daughters get married and should focus on caring for the new family. That is how transition will take place and new generation will get a nurturing environment to grow. So naturally those who stay together, day in and out are bound to experience little friction and daughters who meet now and then or on phone are likely to experience a rosier picture. Ultimately, the responsibility of taking care of parents lies with the son and daughter in law. Any deviations that occur from this model are bound to create lopsided society and unrealistic expectations. Off course, I am referring to the basic premise on which almost all societies across the world have been formed. This can be a never ending debate. To cut it short, to me the essence lies in loving both daughter and son equally while recognizing and appreciating their differences and the role each plays in our life. Having said all this, I know it is not easy to strike an exact balance.


Let’s appreciate and celebrate parenthood, offering equal opportunities to all our children. It would be fruitful if we love our children equally while accepting their unique characteristics and role in our present and future life. 


Incoming Search Terms :

Women Empowerment, Boy, Infanticide, Equality
Decoding Society

Working Women: A symbol of regressive society?

Recently, I received a video through whatsapp ‘In conversation with the Mystic’, where Juhi Chawla was eliciting mystic’s views on should women work or take care of the family. One of the group members asked for everyone’s opinion on the subject of women working. This made me think; like the mystic I too believe that every individual has a right to self expression, so does a woman. However, for me these two are not mutually exclusive. A woman can work and take care of the family as well. Besides, to me it is about choosing what is right for you and your family.


Regressive Society

As per mystic’s views working women are a symbol of regressive society. A progressive society according to him is one where women are house wives (homemakers). To me, this view itself is regressive because a society where an individual cannot choose their lifestyle and is forced to act against their will is regressive. Rather, a society which offers similar opportunities to men and women is a progressive one. Hence, the trend of women working to contribute to the family or even for self satisfaction and sense of achievement is a symbol of progress.

Nurturing Environment

So, first of all, if a woman chooses to work she should go ahead and do it because I believe and speak out of experience that a working woman can also provide a nurturing environment, if she chooses to. Off course, it would mean opting for lesser personal time, socialization and social interaction which is more than compensated for with professional interaction and satisfaction. However it's your choice and there shouldn't be any complaints or obligation to the family.

Similarly, if a woman chooses to devote her time to the family, nothing like that. I remember the comfort of knowing that my mother was always available to welcome and attend to us whatever the time or situation. I credit my mother a great deal to what I am today.

Having said this, quite a few house wives engage in meaningful activities like taking on part time assignments, freelancing, taking tuitions, coaching, dance, music, painting, cooking, baking, and yoga classes; running small time businesses through whats app or network marketing, thereby choosing to work from home. Again they have found a way of striking a balance which suits them; a healthy way to devote time for the family and also find ways of self expression.

As there are always two sides of a coin and the numbers on both sides in this case are substantial, it is also worth mentioning, there are some who have redefined the role of a house wife. The cook does the cooking, children go for tuitions, and frequent kitty parties are call of the day. Giving fuel to the increasing feeling among gen next that house wives are a liability for the society instead of being an asset. From a solution oriented perspective a slight change in thought with the same lifestyle can reverse the sides of the coin. For example, kitty parties could delve on societal issues or take up social work.

I would rather subscribe to the latest term ‘Homemaker’, which to me truly conveys the essence of being a housewife. A homemaker is one, as described by the mystic as well, who provides the nurturing environment and atmosphere for the family to excel in their respective chosen paths. I remember that my father could fully devote himself to his profession because my mother was there for us. Off course, there are many examples which may fit this description of a homemaker. So, basically, what I mean to say is that if you choose to be a house wife, do full justice and carry no regrets and there is no obligation to the family because it's your choice. At the end, I'd say it's a collective decision and choice of the family on how we want to lead our life and what is fulfilling for us.

Of course, it would be amiss if I do not mention that all working women may not be striking the correct balance between work and family leading to stress and unfulfilled aspirations and expectations. So, it is all about freedom to choose and then justifying it by ensuring that whatever the choice, you stand true to yourself and your family.

Bread Winner

As per mystic’s views an ideal situation would be where men are bread winners and women take care of the family. Maybe, at the same time, there are no ideal situations in life. You gain some and you lose some. There are always advantages and disadvantages of the choices we make. Attempt should be to optimize the pros over the cons.

Again, there is another model, less tried, but can definitely be successful where the woman is the bread winner and the man the homemaker. This too can prove to be fulfilling and satisfying as each one of us are born with different traits. Generally by nature women are more nurturing and caring and therefore even in the animal kingdom (mostly) we see that the female cares for the young ones. A couple where the man has the traits suited to the nurturer’s role and the woman that of a provider’s; there could be a role reversal, leaving everyone happier and fulfilled. In fact, many cultures have women donning the primary role. For example, in the North East Indian Garo tribe, women are dominant.

Women Work for Money and Material Benefits

The belief that women work just to earn money and acquire material benefits for themselves and the family is totally misplaced. There are always outliner cases, which cannot be used to generalize a social trend. Some may need to work to make both ends meet or to provide for better opportunities for their families. There are many working women who are in the game for self expression and a sense of satisfaction for having achieved in their lives. Education industry is replete with examples of women who have gainfully put their professional qualifications to use and at the same time are active homemakers.

It is not necessary that every woman works for remuneration. There are many who work for NGO’s, are social activist, and social workers.  History has also seen many women take on the leadership or a professional role. The British Empire itself was lead by different queens at different points of time. Similarly, Madam Curie is another example who immediately comes to mind besides so many achievers in today’s time.  We have many successful contemporary examples in front of us like Indira Nooyi, Chanda Kochhar, Shikha Sharma, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Juhi Chawla, Sonali Bendre, Sudha Murthy, Mallika Srinivasan Meenakshi Lekhi from different walks of life and the list can go on.  Where there is a will, there is a way.


At the end, whatever you do be proud of your choice and respect others for their choice.
Incoming Search Terms :

Working Women, Society, Regressive Society, Symbol, Progressive Society, Women Empowerment
Decoding Society
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