Coming from an Indian background where girls are married off
at quite an early age it is evident that I have my own share of thoughts or
views on various issues.
Today I would majorly concentrate on the most Important and
prominent topic “How it feels to be a girl”
I would be dishonest if I said I haven’t had a satisfactory life
or haven’t enjoyed it to the fullest. Thanks to my Dad who had his firm belief
in me & bestowed upon me with all that I wanted or ever asked for.
However there are times in my life when I wish I had more
liberty, to discover the world, move out & craft a whole new identity for
myself.
Growing up, I came faced numerous hurdles, sometimes when I
made key decisions of my life. People tried to bring be down, tried to demoralize
me but I didn’t give up. I had chosen a path & I made sure I walk the path
to achieve the goals I envisioned.
When I graduated from college and was preparing for my MBA
entrance exams, I had a relative come over to my house & he spoke to my dad
about getting me and my sister married. My sister who is just a year older –
was busy doing her Post Graduation at that very time. He said things like “Why
are you letting your daughter’s pursue higher education, It is becoming
extremely difficult to find grooms for girls these days, with education their
expectations have gone high!”
For a moment after that man walked out from my house, he had
influenced my dad with whatever he said – My dad did speak about marriage after
that. However, after some time he forgot about it.
Education has been of utmost importance for everyone in my
family. My dad constantly supported us when it came to education &
motivated us to set high goals which we would never falter to achieve. Now as I
grow up and have stepped the corporate ladder, there are certain boundaries or
restrictions I have to keep in mind & follow.
When I speak about going to another city for a meeting my
dad is very hesitant & disapproves for the same. When I talk about going to
another country he once more disapproves. It is not because he doesn’t want me
to grow and be successful; it is because he is overly protective because “I AM
A GIRL”
The only thing which really upsets me is - My brother can go
abroad for further studies, He can carve a career out for himself abroad, He is
allowed to go on trips to other cities or for that matter other countries &
while he can do all of the above mentioned things “I CAN’T” do the same. Not
because I don’t have the competence but because the society will not like it
& will scoff at us.
Why does the society talk about marriage as soon as we
finish our education & plan to work? Why can a boy think about his career
but a girl can’t? Why such Double Standards?
I have least interest in the society; I don’t even care what
they think about me. All I want to do is to live my LIFE my way. I’m sure there
are many girls like me who feel the same, & who face similar issues daily. Every
so often I feel like a bird whose wings have been cut off & can’t fly.
When will the society learn to mind their own business &
treat us “girls” equally? For how long will we have to curb our desires &
do things according to the society? Only if dad knew & didn’t bother about what
the society thinks but how it feels “On Being a Girl”…..
