General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: being female in india-a hate story [View all]Tigress DEM
(7,887 posts)I just think that anyone in India should heed the article, but not lose heart. Start from wherever one is at and move forward.
There are still many things to do, but these kind of changes evolved here over years and years and we've fought just as hard and been just as angry at times. It's a good article and reflects a deep truth. I just think there is more truth that allows for hope as well.
I've met mostly people from India in US work environments, but I also had a neighbor and her Mother lived down the street. What I saw of their family was probably non-traditional but it was pretty healthy. Honest and the Mother really was close to her daughter and I never got the idea that the daughter was some 2nd class kind of citizen to her Mom. She was a treasure to both families that she bonded together.
Indian men I've met don't treat me or their wives disrespectfully, and maybe because they are more progressive in general they came here. But still they prove these things can be done and families evolve in understanding when some of their members step out and get more information.
I would say if you spoke to Indian feminists, they would have areas where progress seems very stagnant, but that within more local groups there is more change and more friction. Like we have to keep revisiting the equal pay for equal work and it gets only marginally better.
Like how in the 50's women had to tolerate all kinds of discrimination and husbands felt it wasn't rape because it was only getting what was their woman's duty.
It was a terrible thing that happened, but I don't think it means the whole country is caught up in hating women. They are just now understanding how hateful their behavior is, whether the intent behind it is hateful or not.
IF a tragedy like this can be a catalyst for real change, it is truly an honor to the memory of the victims who endured the horror.