What Does It Mean To Be A Woman In A Society Like Ours?

Why is everything with being a woman so complicated? Why is she only "allowed" things that should be a right? Why can't she choose herself?

What does it mean to be a woman? Is it to tread cautiously throughout your day, most of the time? Or is it to overthink every gesture of kindness bestowed upon her?

Why are things done for her? What is expected in return? Is it about being pretty? Or is it about appearing less intelligent? After all, isn’t ‘pretty and dumb’ the stereotype?

Is it about doubting yourself from time to time, or is it to frequently find oneself at crossroads? Should she prioritize herself or those around her? Should it be her happiness or theirs? Can’t it be a shared happiness?

What does it mean to be a woman?

Is it to juggle five things at a time? Or is it to drain yourself emotionally, mentally, and physically until you can’t take any more? Or is it the trait that they don’t break easily? Or is it the fact that they don’t complain; they just endure? Or is it the fact that they are disappointed in people because they didn’t do the bare minimum, we expected them to do?

What does it mean to be a woman?

Is it to not speak your heart out until you are asked to?

Is it to endure as much as you can and not to bother anyone with your pain, since your pain is much less than others’? But, can pain truly be quantified?

Is it the fact that everyone has problems, so why bother anyone with yours?

What does it mean to be a woman?

Is it about always being there for everyone but yourself?

Never miss real stories from India's women.

Register Now

Is it about helping everyone but yourself?

Is it about understanding everyone but yourself?

Is it about feeling everything and empathizing with everyone but yourself?

Is it about having strong feelings but hiding them from everyone?

Or is it about extending a helping hand to others whenever they need it, but never to herself, since she doesn’t need help? She can endure it, right?

Why is everything with being a woman so complicated? Why can’t she choose herself? Why is it hard for her to understand herself, to help herself? She’s “allowed” to feel all the emotions; they shape who she is. They make her a vulnerable being in this sometimes-inhumane world. They make her, well, her. Why is it so tough for her to see that? I wish I could make her see that.

Image source: a still from the film English Vinglish

Liked this post?

Join the 100000 women at Women's Web who get our weekly mailer and never miss out on our events, contests & best reads - you can also start sharing your own ideas and experiences with thousands of other women here!

Comments

About the Author

Ekta Sati

I am Ekta Sati, born & brought up in a very peaceful and beautiful city, Rishikesh. I am an admirer of nature and loves to spend my time on the riverside and in the forests. read more...

8 Posts | 3,477 Views

Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!

All Categories