Gender Stereotypes have played a key role in the disrespect of women. Is this statement true?
It is not new or shocking for us to know or realize that gender stereotypes have played a key role in the disrespect of women, for we have all grown up in a society like that. We have grown up amidst these stereotypes. No matter how hard one tries to break stereotypes and change the opinion of the society towards women, nothing changes. The society remains as stubborn as always and opens it’s mouth only when it comes to disrespecting or criticizing women. The world has evolved and so have women. We can see women leading in almost every field. They have made us all so proud with all the work they do. But have they received enough recognition and acknowledgment for the same? I do not think so. How many female actresses are worshipped the same way our male actors are across India? They are all putting in the same amount of effort, maybe even more, then why are they overlooked? How many of us actually switch on the television to know what score has the women’s cricket team actually managed to make? Not even a single one of their criticizers can ever imagine how much they have had to struggle, to reach where they are presently.
The amount of social work women have done, is not even close to what we can ever aim to do. Why do we not acknowledge them? Last but not the least, are the homemakers of the society. What makes one think that women are born to be housewives? They will do whatever they feel like doing. If they decide to become officers, they are criticized and said to have neglected their husbands and children. If they decide to be homemakers, they are called useless and brainless. If men cook, it is called an art. On the other hand, if women cook, it is called their duty. Why? Is the society ashamed? Is the society not ready to accept that women are capable of doing wonders? Is the society not ready to accept that women can do almost everything and in fact, excel at everything? With women ruling the world, I think this is the right time to come to terms with the fact that our society needs a change, an evolution with it’s opinion and thinking. Let’s break stereotypes and give women the respect and status they deserve.
A woman myself,
Shubhangini Shaktawat