It’s well known that patriarchy prevails extensively in India. While atrocities against women are common, it’s not just women who suffer. Men in India also face their own battles. Being a man isn’t easy either; they’re often assumed to mean harm, regardless of their intentions. If a man approaches a woman, she’s likely to assume he has bad intentions.
Women face pressure to marry young and have children quickly, while men are pressured to earn well, save, and be financially stable before settling down. Society expects men to be the breadwinners. This pressure isn’t unique to India; it’s a global issue. Men are seen as the tougher sex, urged to push through without acknowledging their feelings. If they do express emotions, they’re often belittled.
Men are expected to be dominant in relationships, to pay the bills, and make major decisions. If they seek equality in their relationship, they’re labeled ‘namard’ (unmanly). Men face intrusive questions about their earnings and whether they can provide for their families, including buying a house and affording other perks.
Rape and molestation affect men too, but these issues often go unnoticed because men are discouraged from speaking out. Admitting to being a victim is seen as a sign of weakness, and men are not supposed to be weak. Men can also be victims of domestic abuse, but it’s harder for them to speak up without being labeled as less of a man.
False accusations against men occur in India and often go unnoticed, causing severe harm. Men are objectified in media, magazines, and Bollywood films, but this objectification is often seen as a compliment.
With increasing employment opportunities, women in urban and semi-urban areas are becoming more independent. However, a woman who doesn’t work is still eligible to marry a man who does, but the reverse is not socially accepted. An unemployed man is seen as a failure and struggles to find a suitable life partner.
Gender equality is a major issue in a rigid society like ours, but we have yet to truly act on it. The only way to stop this is by ending gender policing. Men should be allowed to cry, and women should be encouraged to use tools. It all starts with what we teach our children at home and in school. Let’s teach them not to be more masculine or feminine, but to be compassionate, good human beings.
