It's a man's world....

A woman was arrested by the police for allegedly ‘selling’ her three year old daughter for a childless couple for a paltry amount of Rs.900. Reason – she needed money to bring up her one-year old son ‘properly’.

I remember reading this particular piece of news around a year back. I have not forgotten the context because I see such news making a comeback, each time with different names and different circumstances. But the cause more or less remains the same - oh, for the sake of guys!

Why is this hatred towards the girl-child? Because she is considered a ‘responsibility’ to be ‘disposed’ off as early as possible – and I am referring to marriage here. Because she is not considered a source of support to her parents – aakhir budaape ka sahaara beta hi hain. Oh yeah? What kind of an example are you setting to your own children by segregating between sons and daughters?

A relative of mine once revealed that it’s really difficult to bring up a girl because of the several social factors the main being security – for a little girl, the world’s not trusting as it was before. But hey...so what? Will you lament throughout your life regarding this aspect? Imagine the effect that would have on the girl - in all probability, she would feel guilty and start hating herself for being born a girl.

Once born a female, it becomes the duty of the girl to learn all the household chores. Why? Because it’s these which are the markings of an accomplished girl for marriage. For guys.....well...they are mentally groomed to take on the role of the bread-winner in the society, be stoic in the face of calm and ya ...most importantly not to display their grief in public. Chores at home – that’s a woman’s domain, so why do men have to learn it?

On a positive note, the scenario is slightly changing – men today are being more responsible towards their spouses. I have had a friend who has gone as far as to assist his wife in cooking, cleaning and other housework :). He admits that it was painful to see his Mom managing everything at a stretch (and not even getting accolades for it) while putting aside her personal work. Good that he did not let his so-called-rigid upbringing affect him (read as make him just-another-typical male) and took upon himself not to repeat the same mistake with his life-partner. (Rare species of) Understanding men ki jai :)!

There are quite some ‘feminists’ who argue that women are equal to woman and given a chance can outperform them. I beg to disagree – it’s a useless debate as to who’s equal to whom on subjects as baseless as reservation of seats for women in buses. I have always believed that when God created man and woman it was keeping in mind a complimentary nature in mind – not anything to with equality or equations. Just observe couples who have learnt this rare art of compromise and you would know what I am speaking about.

So, when Mr.Yediyurappa announced the 'Bhagya Lakshmi' scheme, the cynic in me scoffed – just another political gimmick. Unless you bring about a definite change in the attitude of the society, such schemes would be of no use; people would find ways to hoodwink this scheme as well.

While the optimist in me hoped.....

There are some times when I feel so contented that I am happy what I am - a woman (and a crazy one at that :)...).

It's a man's world.....so what?

Update: Just posted this pic - courtesty Aki who had mailed it to me......