Separating A Man From Parents Is Mental Cruelty But Separating A Woman From Hers Is Tradition?!

Why is separating a daughter from her parents 'normal' and not considered mental cruelty as well? I know there can be limitless debate on this topic but isn't my point valid?

Every time a new judgment comes and every time it surprises me more! First let’s read this latest judgment by the Calcutta High Court:

“The Calcutta High Court has recently ruled that a husband has the right to file for divorce on grounds of mental cruelty if his wife tried to compel him to separate from his parents without justifiable reason.”

My point here is not to prove the court or judgment wrong as when I read the full article I found the husband’s plea for a divorce justified due to various circumstances.

But there was one sentence that caught my eyes. “Separating a man from parents will be considered as mental cruelty”. Now here I become speechless. Why is separating a daughter from her parents ‘normal’ and not considered mental cruelty as well? I know there can be limitless debate on this topic but isn’t my point valid?

Further, the Chair stated that a son living with his parents was “absolutely normal in Indian culture and ethos”.

Why is daughter living with her parents is against Indian culture? Who made this culture? Reading up about ‘culture’ I found, “Humans acquire culture through the learning processes of enculturation and socialization, which is shown by the diversity of cultures across societies.” Which means that ‘culture’ is created by us and adapted to our needs. Here, I must question – whose needs? Clearly NOT the needs of women.

I am being very honest here. I have seen girls who intentionally separate their husbands from parents but there are also girls who are forced to take such a step either by circumstances or like some friends of mine who sacrificed their relationships so that the separation from their parents can be avoided.

With all due respect to our ancestors and traditions made by them, sometimes I wonder why India has such traditions. As I mentioned earlier, I have been working with foreign nationals now for almost 8 years and sorry to say their culture is so much better than ours.

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Author’s note: My words do not intend to hurt or upset or provoke anyone.

Image source: Free wallpapers

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About the Author

Smriti Malhotra

Smriti Malhotra is a Delhi girl and an avid dreamer. She works at the Embassy of the Republic of Congo by profession but is a writer by passion. She began writing while at school and read more...

41 Posts | 31,365 Views

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