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Is being a teen girl in India today any different from being one twenty years ago? We discussed with #WomenOnTheMove in our weekly chat.
Handling teenagers can sometimes be challenging for parents. Often we hear teenagers complain that their parents ‘just don’t get them’. It might seem over dramatisation to us. However, if we take a closer look we will see that even if their comments sound harsh and rude to us as parents, in reality being a teen girl in the world we live in today is entirely different from when we were growing up.
That said, as far as teenagers are concerned, they are basically the same everywhere: moody, cranky and stubborn. The life of an average Indian teenager is no different.
But, in a developing country like India, where the society is predominantly patriarchal and male chauvinist, being a teen girl in India isn’t easy. They are faced with a whole host of problems. Apart from the common teenage problems — body image, education, relationship troubles, peer pressure, menstruation and depression, the male biased social norms make matters tougher for the girls.
Earlier last week, we had our weekly #WomenOnTheMove chat over at Twitter, and this is what we discussed.
(If you’re not yet following Women’s Web on Twitter, do now, and you can come over for the chat too, every Wednesday 6-7PM IST).
@womensweb #WomenOnTheMove Drastic changes,in past,parents didn’t allow them to move out now parents allow but the environment is worst — ILA VARMA (@VARMAILA) November 30, 2016Never miss real stories from India's women.Register Now
@womensweb #WomenOnTheMove Drastic changes,in past,parents didn’t allow them to move out now parents allow but the environment is worst
— ILA VARMA (@VARMAILA) November 30, 2016
@womensweb Not much, girls still can’t talk freely with their parents about boyfriend , periods, sex ed practically 0 , WomenOnTheMove — Sakshi Dutt (@sakshi2487) November 30, 2016
@womensweb Not much, girls still can’t talk freely with their parents about boyfriend , periods, sex ed practically 0 , WomenOnTheMove
— Sakshi Dutt (@sakshi2487) November 30, 2016
@womensweb they have multiplied. — Pooja Sharma Rao (@IAmSufiZen) November 30, 2016
@womensweb they have multiplied.
— Pooja Sharma Rao (@IAmSufiZen) November 30, 2016
@womensweb #WomenOnTheMove A1. Yes,liberties in terms of clothing,independent thought,power to choose n even parents-teenager is friendly nw — ILA VARMA (@VARMAILA) November 30, 2016
@womensweb #WomenOnTheMove A1. Yes,liberties in terms of clothing,independent thought,power to choose n even parents-teenager is friendly nw
@VARMAILA @womensweb sometimes freedom leading to more stress to fit in, young girls hv mothers who don’t look so motherly causing stress — Pooja Sharma Rao (@IAmSufiZen) November 30, 2016
@VARMAILA @womensweb sometimes freedom leading to more stress to fit in, young girls hv mothers who don’t look so motherly causing stress
@VARMAILA @womensweb which is indeed very twisted form of media dominating how teens perceive themselves,he family interactions are changing — Pooja Sharma Rao (@IAmSufiZen) November 30, 2016
@VARMAILA @womensweb which is indeed very twisted form of media dominating how teens perceive themselves,he family interactions are changing
@womensweb things have got better and worse at the same time.. more freedom and flexibility but more pressure — Sonali (@sonali2010) November 30, 2016
@womensweb things have got better and worse at the same time.. more freedom and flexibility but more pressure
— Sonali (@sonali2010) November 30, 2016
@womensweb teenagers now face global pwwr pressure so to say https://t.co/isArDjMz1W to them through social media. — Pooja Sharma Rao (@IAmSufiZen) November 30, 2016
@womensweb teenagers now face global pwwr pressure so to say https://t.co/isArDjMz1W to them through social media.
@womensweb they have indeed,now the standards of being “cool” are very steep,there is almost an alternate online existence that teens have. — Pooja Sharma Rao (@IAmSufiZen) November 30, 2016
@womensweb they have indeed,now the standards of being “cool” are very steep,there is almost an alternate online existence that teens have.
@womensweb @IAmSufiZen True, #peerpressure 2 look good , 2 be popular in social media, to hv a bf/gf , it’s tough #WomenOnTheMove — Sakshi Dutt (@sakshi2487) November 30, 2016
@womensweb @IAmSufiZen True, #peerpressure 2 look good , 2 be popular in social media, to hv a bf/gf , it’s tough #WomenOnTheMove
they have changed ..lbranded stuff,iphone,car for school college,body,makeup,eating habits, tuition problems ,different dress every day etc https://t.co/nef6h1FEjT — nirupama (@devniru1) November 30, 2016
they have changed ..lbranded stuff,iphone,car for school college,body,makeup,eating habits, tuition problems ,different dress every day etc https://t.co/nef6h1FEjT
— nirupama (@devniru1) November 30, 2016
@womensweb it starts much before tennage,look at ads-all heavier kids are either bullies/morons,girls in popular media thin,long hair,fair.. — Pooja Sharma Rao (@IAmSufiZen) November 30, 2016
@womensweb it starts much before tennage,look at ads-all heavier kids are either bullies/morons,girls in popular media thin,long hair,fair..
@womensweb parents need to reaffirm kids to hv a positive self-image and also respect differences in others-physical,social,economic — Pooja Sharma Rao (@IAmSufiZen) November 30, 2016
@womensweb parents need to reaffirm kids to hv a positive self-image and also respect differences in others-physical,social,economic
@womensweb V need to develop the right attitude in our girls. Self confidence & communication with parents can help them in dealing with it — Sakshi Dutt (@sakshi2487) November 30, 2016
@womensweb V need to develop the right attitude in our girls. Self confidence & communication with parents can help them in dealing with it
@womensweb Parents,make them understand between healthy body & body image n distract focus frm ads,they r promotg. #WomenOnTheMove — ILA VARMA (@VARMAILA) November 30, 2016
@womensweb Parents,make them understand between healthy body & body image n distract focus frm ads,they r promotg. #WomenOnTheMove
@womensweb hmmm.. i’d say none gives a flying f! just be yourself! — swati (@RaiSwatiRai) November 30, 2016
@womensweb hmmm.. i’d say none gives a flying f! just be yourself!
— swati (@RaiSwatiRai) November 30, 2016
@womensweb Challenges I faced as a teenager have shaped a considerable part of my personality, yes. Acceptance and kindness were my lessons. — Aditi Mathur Kumar (@adicrazy) November 30, 2016
@womensweb Challenges I faced as a teenager have shaped a considerable part of my personality, yes. Acceptance and kindness were my lessons.
— Aditi Mathur Kumar (@adicrazy) November 30, 2016
need to know the definition of beautiful as parents , role model by not asking Q’s -m i fat ? Teach son -female is >than body https://t.co/RG2neNyMhY — nirupama (@devniru1) November 30, 2016
need to know the definition of beautiful as parents , role model by not asking Q’s -m i fat ? Teach son -female is >than body https://t.co/RG2neNyMhY
The whole ‘boys will be boys’ thing that creates bullies and worse! #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/8n1Id14VGt — Aparna V Singh (@editorsahiba) November 30, 2016
The whole ‘boys will be boys’ thing that creates bullies and worse! #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/8n1Id14VGt
— Aparna V Singh (@editorsahiba) November 30, 2016
@womensweb A3 love yourself,read Naomi Woolf’s The Beauty Myth & understand hw the beauty/fashion industry makes profit if you hate yourself — Pooja Sharma Rao (@IAmSufiZen) November 30, 2016
@womensweb A3 love yourself,read Naomi Woolf’s The Beauty Myth & understand hw the beauty/fashion industry makes profit if you hate yourself
A3. I would tell her that that even if people judge you, public memory is short. Don’t worry so much about being judged #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/yNPXv0pgth — Aparna V Singh (@editorsahiba) November 30, 2016
A3. I would tell her that that even if people judge you, public memory is short. Don’t worry so much about being judged #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/yNPXv0pgth
@womensweb #WomenOnTheMove Ohh,I’m lucky to choose my way, B myself,cool overcaring parents but stepping out in odd hours, need 2 b careful — ILA VARMA (@VARMAILA) November 30, 2016
@womensweb #WomenOnTheMove Ohh,I’m lucky to choose my way, B myself,cool overcaring parents but stepping out in odd hours, need 2 b careful
@womensweb A3 also as tempting as romance/sex/love looks at that age,put yourself first,plan your career,think about financial independence — Pooja Sharma Rao (@IAmSufiZen) November 30, 2016
@womensweb A3 also as tempting as romance/sex/love looks at that age,put yourself first,plan your career,think about financial independence
@womensweb don’t bothermuch about anyone who puts you down any way. — Pooja Sharma Rao (@IAmSufiZen) November 30, 2016
@womensweb don’t bothermuch about anyone who puts you down any way.
@womensweb A3. Focus on your goals,dream big.Don’t bother about what others think, listen to ur inner self. What’s within u is what counts. — Vaishali Gandhi (@vaishali178) November 30, 2016
@womensweb A3. Focus on your goals,dream big.Don’t bother about what others think, listen to ur inner self. What’s within u is what counts.
— Vaishali Gandhi (@vaishali178) November 30, 2016
@womensweb @editorsahiba Ppl would gossip anyways so be urself #WomenOntheMove — Sakshi Dutt (@sakshi2487) November 30, 2016
@womensweb @editorsahiba Ppl would gossip anyways so be urself #WomenOntheMove
have courage to speak your mind,be bindaas, speaking to boys is ok,play everyday,sing and dance everyday.wear what u like? so much 2 say https://t.co/uQcVGk2xwr — nirupama (@devniru1) November 30, 2016
have courage to speak your mind,be bindaas, speaking to boys is ok,play everyday,sing and dance everyday.wear what u like? so much 2 say https://t.co/uQcVGk2xwr
@womensweb learn about reproductive system,its challenges,safety,rights and never compromise those not in the name if love. — Pooja Sharma Rao (@IAmSufiZen) November 30, 2016
@womensweb learn about reproductive system,its challenges,safety,rights and never compromise those not in the name if love.
@womensweb travel lots, don’t worry about what other people will think #WomenOnTheMove — Sonali (@sonali2010) November 30, 2016
@womensweb travel lots, don’t worry about what other people will think #WomenOnTheMove
So if you meet your teenage self today, what will you tell her? Comment and share your thoughts with me.
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A part time backpacker, an accidental baker, a doting mother, a loving wife, a pampered daughter, an inspired blogger, an amateur photographer read more...
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