A lot has been said on how men should respect women exhibit a better behaviour.
Here are some examples:
(1) Men should not perceive women as sex-objects.
(2) Men should realize that women are at par with them about their talent and ability and sometimes ahead too.
(3) Men have to respect boundaries and make sure their words do not make a women feel uneasy or awkward.
(4) Men have to respect women’s choices like what they wear, where they would like to go; to an extent of what time would they consider apt.
(5) Men should give proper and equal opportunities to women.
Yes, we men have to learn. However, the stubborn Indian male-ego is a tough nut to crack. But in all this well deserved male-bashing, I hope the women do not forget about the set of changes required, on themselves. Yes, they need to do some introspection too.
Hence, today I shall try the unimaginable! Being a man, I will give women-folk some serious advice! I realize before writing any further, that this alone could be reason for a woman to have me smashed into pieces!
Anyways, I am a bold guy and so here I go!
SIX things, I feel women need to change about themselves to make this world a better place to live in ->
First.
The artificial behaviour of women needs to end. A common female characteristic is the quick adaptation to feed male egos and their requirements. Accepting any kind of assignment given to them, no matter how tough or impossible it is for them to do or rather I’d say, playing dumb to allow a man to feel superior are just a few occasions when you do your “thing”.
If you are doing a good job at work and your boss doesn’t value you, do give him a piece of your mind. I’d say even say quit. Talented, hard-working people are much in demand. So don’t worry much about your future after you quit from the job. Voice your opinion.
Second.
Do not ever feel stressed about having a dual responsibility of family and work. It is difficult, but it is not impossible. The trick is not to expect an A+ in every aspect of your life. You can’t pull off a hundred percent in every exam of life!
Three.
Women, you need to become more ambitious, anxious and energetic. All young Indians — men and women, should have zest. Perhaps the way the Indian society is structured, our women are not encouraged to be as ambitious as men. However, for their own sake and the nation’s sake at large, all Indian women must develop ambitions and keep a desire to do well and aspire to reach their greatest potential in life. Many Indian women have done better than men in various fields. keep them as your inspiration and move towards your dreams.
Your success is what would make Indian men respect you more. Play your part well for that.
Four.
In addition to the above, you need to educate yourself, develop skills, figure out ways to be economically independent. So that the next time your husband tells you that you are a wife not good enough or not a good mother or daughter-in-law, you can hold your ground with pride.
Five.
Don’t get trapped in relationships. Relationships are important. Being a good mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend and lover are extremely important. But don’t get too tangled. You have another relationship too, with yourself. Don’t sacrifice so much that you forget about yourself. Not regularly, but just at times, be self-centered. It is only when a woman would be confident about herself,
would she be taken seriously.
Six.
The last and the most important thing is to put an end to the constant desire to judge other women. Women are hard on each other. The women I know taunt each other now and then. Take for example, an overweight woman entering a room. Most women in the room would think, ‘How fat is she! I am definitely slimmer than her!’
A girl in a short skirt makes other women think, ‘Slut!’ in their heads. A beautiful woman’s promotion makes other women wonder what she had been up to, to get the job, which they coveted too.
From an wrongly fitting dress to a badly prepared dish, you are so ready to judge other women, despite knowing how even you aren’t an expert!
I realize, as a woman, it is tough to survive in a male dominated world. Why be so hard on each other? So don’t get competitive with other women. Someone would make a better scrapbook for her school project than you! Another would lose more weight then you ever could! But, why would you worry that much? Just try to give your best and be confident enough about your work.
Concluding my rambling, I would like to quote a line from the movie Batman Begins, ‘It’s not who YOU are underneath, it’s what YOU do that defines YOU…’
So be yourself and focus on your deeds. Your deeds are the greatest route for you to achieve real value and win the respect of this society of which you are worth!
May you see, what I intend to say.
Take a deep breathe! Tell yourself you are beautiful, do your best and live a peaceful life.
Cherish Womanhood!!!
Shubham Dixit
SPSU, Udaipur
CampusWriting * Udaipur 