Women and gender bias

 Women: The Multitaskers

(Disclaimer: This is a gender specific article)

Women have always been known as an adept multi-tasker, mostly because women are expected to do more. In ancient days, they stayed at home, but had to look after everything, starting from the smallest tasks to the most important ones. Although men used to do all the earning, women had the responsibility of managing the household finances. They had to manage the budget and its allocation.

In modern times, the responsibilities have increased since women have started working. Now, they have to take care of both worlds. 

Everyone multitasks, but it is expected more from women. “Multitasker”- this term is often used by people as a way of appreciation. However, the truth is, this stereotype is harmful. Women get exhausted physically and mentally. People hardly notice how the relentless toil affects them.

That’s probably one reason why mental health issues, like depression, anxiety etc., are more prevalent in women. Additionally, women are more likely to be victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, which can also contribute to mental health problems.

Women: The Sacrifices

It does not need me to say that a woman, in general, has to sacrifice more, sometimes beyond her capacity. 

• She is expected to take care of the child and be a perfect mother.

• She is expected to be there for her husband, and be a perfect wife.

• She is the one who has to look after aged parents and parents-in-law.

• She is entrusted with responsibilities of both the homes. 

• For working women, it gets tougher because things mentioned above are expected from her, (while showing the same level of enthusiasm) even after a hard and long day at work.

Now, you may wonder, why am I putting these duties and responsibilities under “sacrifice”. That’s because, though, sometimes they do it willingly and sincerely, most of the time these expectations become unrealistic. So much so that women feel taken for granted.

These sacrifices are apparent. There are some more, which absolutely gets unnoticed.

To begin with, a woman (in normal situations) has to leave her home after marriage. She leaves behind her childhood home and enters into a new phase of life. New place, new people, new customs and traditions. (All the things she follows or practices at her paternal home, become invalid overnight). 

Imagine the level of adjustment and adaptation she needs to do. 

I will skip the most disheartening thing about women (since everyone is aware of it), which is still relevant in some places, i.e., female infanticide.

Women: The challenges she faces everyday!

Along with all the challenges imposed on women by society, they have their own demons to fight too.

They face a great deal of stress on a daily basis, both from the physical and emotional challenges. 

They have to endure the monthly pain of menstruation, which is not only physical but emotional as well. She goes through emotional turmoil due to all hormonal changes, yet she puts on a brave face and carries on. 

The pain of childbirth, which changes everything for her.

Also, the challenges during and after the menopause. A woman has to endure these all. 

Women: The Biases against her

Gender bias is the most talked about topic today. Especially with the rise of feminism. (I do not agree with this ‘ism’. The reasons will be revealed in another post.) 

While everyone is aware of this bias on a large scale, the focus here will be on the subtle biases that women experience on a daily basis.

• A girl child is raised with a lot of restrictions.

• All sorts of boundaries are laid down for her, which sometimes cost her career opportunities.

• Education of a girl child is not given as much importance as that of a boy.

• The moment a girl child is born, parents start preparing for her wedding. 

• At the time of birth, the nurses in the hospital are given bakshish, if it’s a boy. Bakshish is generally skipped for a girl child.

• The best and the largest portion of a meal is reserved for the male members of the house.

• There is a great deal of negligence when it comes to womens’ health. Until a situation gets out of hand, her health is not taken seriously, which leads to complications later in life.

• Too much pressure is put on women for childbirth. Most of the time, especially in backward areas of the country, marriage is sought solely for this reason. In cases where a woman is unable to have children, she is tortured physically and mentally by the in-laws.

• In some countries, women are subject to strict laws that dictate their daily lives. These laws restrict their freedom of movement, their right to work, and their access to healthcare and education.

Women: The Go-getter

In spite of all the hurdles, women have come up in a magnificent way. Though things have improved to a large extent and women are in a much better position, there is still room for improvements.

Today, the success stories are numerous in all possible fields. Women are thriving in all areas of life today. From the boardroom to the battlefield, women are making their mark and breaking down barriers.

We should not forget that women make up half of the world’s population. They have the potential to contribute immensely to the world, if given the  opportunity. The role of women in the economy cannot be ignored anymore. Also, there is a growing body of research that suggests women may have some psychological advantages over men, such as being better at managing stress and being more resilient in the face of adversity.

It is time for society to truly value and respect women. This means more than just paying lip service to the idea of gender equality. It means actively working to create a world where women are treated with dignity and respect, both in words and in deeds.

                                                                                           Sucheta

Disclaimer: I am not an expert or a professional in the field of mental health. This writing is based solely on my experience and observation, and it is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. If you need help with mental health issues, please contact a qualified professional.