Tuesday 22 March 2011

Powerful Generation Powerless



Generations bring along changes in the lifestyles, beliefs, values and anything that goes with society. In spite of this constant change, it is surprising to see some traditions remaining unchanged. I accept that traditions are an integral part of a society, or to be precise, they are the concepts by the people at a point in time to bring peace and order in their community. Which by the way, are most of the times devoid of any laws and scientific logics.

To talk of just one aspect, in this post, I would limit the views to Marriages only. And to avoid the disparity between the social orbits, I would further limit it to the educated class only. My questions begin right from the way marriages take place these days. Against the elaborations, I shall raise my questions to the generation I belong to...

The financial responsibility and dowry over the Bride's family. Yes, it is surprising but it still persists in today's marriages. This tradition has its roots from the time when gender discrimination was strongly prevalent and women were married off at the tender age of 10-12 years. Dowry was a security given by the father to his daughter for her future. Is any of these situations even relevant today? Women are highly educated and well placed with their careers before they take the plunge. Why provide her with the future security when she does not need it? Also, women have all the say to choose their life partners. Marriage transforms life of both, the man and the woman, then why only the Bride's family be responsible? Isn't it an unfair thing to do?

All the rituals and ceremonies last for 2-3 days, and it is simply blamed upon the "Traditions". Ever wondered why this tradition was introduced? It was because, in those times, the Bride and the Groom used to meet during the marriage days only. In the times of child marriages, the families used to help them get comfortable with each other. Today, in case of love marriages, couples know too much of each other to even demand this time to "get comfortable with one another". And in case of Arranged Marriages, there are enough courting opportunities to "get comfortable" with each other! Besides, how many of our generation follow the rituals in our daily routines? Then why begin your new life with something you never follow or most of the times never believe in?

Our generation is extremely challenging in almost all the aspects of life! Then what holds us from asking questions when it comes to natural justice with respect to equality? Why cant the expenses be equally shared? Why should the parents take the financial responsibility when most of the times, they are not even making the choice of their children's spouses? Why can't men who are favored in the rituals take a lead to make a change in the way the preceding generation views all these traditions close to their heart? Why can't women put their foot down when they are being portrayed as the weaker sex and dependent on men for existence? It is highly disappointing to see this "Powerful Generation" I belong to, not questioning these baseless traditions even once before being a part of the entire farce!

If I am a memory

  Our meeting was a stroke of serendipity, There was no history neither familiarity. Yet we bonded like a house on fire! So if I am a memory...