The emotional, sexual, psychological stereotyping of females begins when the doctor says, "It's a girl."- Shirley Chisholm
Before I begin, let me be clear on one thing. I am not a zealous feminist. All through my life, I have never been in a situation where I've had the need to defend myself because I am 'just' a girl. Neither have I ever felt that boys enjoy more benefits being who they are. On the contrary, I have been luckier than a lot of boys in my school and college.
Like any other parent, my mom secretly wished for a boy and my dad, a girl. Being blessed with me and my brother (I know what you're thinking!), our parents gave us everything we needed and more than what they could without partiality. I have enjoyed the same freedom, independence, and support as my brother. I have been trusted with the decisions I make in my life, and my parents have always stood by me with every decision I've ever taken. And today, my parents treat me like the adult I am while they also pamper me like the kid I am to them.
Valuing the freedom I held has always been very important to me. To me, it is my ticket to my parents' trust which is even more important. My parents have always credited and trusted me without inhibitions. Of course, I've dressed in shorts and spaghetti, gone on bikes with guys, sat next to them at theaters, had pyjama parties with the gals, cropped my hair short, stayed out late nights, ate everything I wanted, loved, cried, and lived . At the end of the day, my mom heard it all. That's the norm of my life.
So, why does it all of a sudden matter if my hair is long or short, if my kurtas are sleeveless or not, if I wear a bindi or not, if my neck and hands are bejeweled or not? How does any of these make may any different from the person I am? Why do I have to be criticized for who I have been for 25 years? Why do I constantly find myself in the situation where I have the fierce need to defend my parents? Much against my own liking, why have I turned into a rebel? And suddenly, why do I feel so confined?
I hand it all down to "Patriarchy".
(to be continued...)
