Hey Woman! Are You Marriage Material?

Have a successful career? Great! But woman, can you run a household? Can you cook? Are you marriage material? #WomenOnTheMove

Marriage – the sole purpose of human existence and by Indian standards – the ULTIMATE aim of our lives. This purpose touches all — be it a man or a woman. That said, I assume it wouldn’t be surprising to say that women are viewed more keenly through the ‘marriage material’ lens than men, isn’t it?

A2. Even though men face it, women face this label much more frequently and after they are of a certain age, it seems to be the only lens through which society views them! #WomenOnTheMove

— Kasturi Patra (@PatraKasturi) November 15, 2017

A woman might be making history through her work but can she make ’round rotis’? She might be touching great heights in her professional life but can she run a household? In our society, it doesn’t matter how good a woman is at her work, her achievements don’t matter either. What matters is if she can cook, clean, run a household etc. If yes, then great; if not — then my dear, sorry to say but you are no good! Your future is doomed! Your life is a waste!

#WomenOnTheMove
Cant point anyone who hast faced this. “Padhi likhi hai,ghar nahin sambhal sakti”
“Khana banana nahin sikhegi to shadi kaun karega”

— Mamta Jain (@mamtatwits) November 15, 2017

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Last week, in our weekly #WomenOnTheMove chat over at Twitter, we discussed what does ‘possible marriage material’ mean? Is this another form of societal stereotype? Does it affect the lives of men and women equally or women are more at the receiving end than men?

This is what #WomenOnTheMove said.

What is ‘marriage material’?

There is unfortunately nothing positive about marriage material. It is about being home n domesticity oriented & that’s why highly educated women do not fit the bill #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/W1XBZbMcWU

— anupama (@anupamaskapoor) November 15, 2017

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When do you become marriage material?

Tadaa!!

#WomenOnTheMoves Sadly Yes. As soon as a girl finishes her education, everyone in the society sees her as possible marriage material.

— Saili Chavan (@SailiChavan) November 15, 2017

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Interesting, no?! Point to note here — “finishes her education” might be finish her professional studies or graduation or for that matter Class V! See you don’t understand — in India, only marriage and children can justify a woman’s birth, achievements can be kept in silos for men!

So let’s move on. The next big question is…

What makes you marriage material?

one who can earn ,cook meals , take care of the children , household , in laws , pets is possible marriage material #womenonthemove

— Sakshi Dutt (@sakshi2487) November 15, 2017

In other words, the PERFECT INDIAN BAHU!

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Are the rules same for all genders?

Makes me wonder, does Indian society treat men and women differently when it comes to being “possible marriage material” or do men have it easy and women get the hard share? Let’s see what #WomenOnTheMove had to say.

I think men are also labelled as being or not being “marriage material”. Men with stable jobs are. Men who flirt around aren’t #WomenOnTheMove

— Suman Kher (@Suman_Kher) November 15, 2017

See! And you thought Indian society is only mean to women. You only think about yourself! Men face it equally, Da; or do they? Here’s another thought.

#WomenOntTheMove
A2 All women have to face that stereotype while not all men have to !
Men face it only when they arent earning….
courtesy : #capitalism created n the cause of the #patriarchy

— Mamta Jain (@mamtatwits) November 15, 2017

men don’t face it , its flaunt-worthy for them, for girls it is measured on the scale of how compromise-worthy she is, or how slim,tall,fair etc.

— Pooja Sharma Rao (@SoulVersified) November 15, 2017

Funny, no! As if career is only meant for men. A woman’s career is just a time pass till she “settles down”!

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What are the factors that fuel these stereotypical clichés?

#WomenOnTheMove
Factors clearly are #capitalist society – money drives everything – men earn – women manage home and r #domesticated#patriarchy crept in coz money spinner is the king. But #earningWomen also have 2 handle homes

— Mamta Jain (@mamtatwits) November 15, 2017

the inherent sexism, misogyny and notions to keep women in control and make them homely perpetuate the idea of marriage as the ultimate goal of a good indian girl’s life

— Pooja Sharma Rao (@SoulVersified) November 15, 2017

About time we do away with these archaic benchmarks that put men and women within pre-defined brackets of gender roles. About time we #UnStereotype.

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Image: Pixabay

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