Redefined the role of Women in 21st Century

This is no attempt to impart any piece of information that you might not already know. It is merely an account of what I have experienced first hand.

So, every now and then, we have the topic of changing definition of role(s) played by women in our modern society. Undoubtedly, a lot has changed since my grandmother's time, if not my mother's. Surely, viewed within the time frame of two generation our lives have changed tremendously. The freedom and privileges I enjoy, were perhaps not available to my Nani. And a perfect example of it is that she was dropped out of school to give her brother's a chance.

Yet, the struggles faced by my generation of women haven't changed much. We are still expected to take care of the house and family, and treat it as our primary responsibility. All I want to ask is- WHY? Why should it be the women treating the house as their primary chore?

I was almost convinced by the idea that house is where the women belong, brain washed by my boss (doing so for his own means, perhaps!). Until, I saw "Mona Lisa Smile". Why is it that women can't do both? why should a women compromise, if she has talent? If she has dreams?
Perhaps, it might just require an extra effort, some extra strength to carry out responsibility at both front.Why can't we do that? Or taking it even further, Why should she not be supported by her husband to accomplish her goals? Especially, when she is ready to go through any struggle for determine the success of her husband.

I do understand that, perhaps the concept of being a home-maker (I prefer that over house-wife), started as mere division of responsibility. The men take care of arena outside the house, while the women take care of the inside, and I respect that. But, Why can't there be equal division of responsibility of both the outside and inside world. Especially, if we want to do it.

Again, the debate is not which role is right or wrong. Right and wrong are only relative. What might be right for me, might not be so for someone with different set of circumstances.
It is not even a debate of whether women should sit at home or work.
It is not even about the need for a women to work, when her husband can take care of her.

It is about following one's heart. It is about not living a life of regret, hoping for things to be different.

There is nothing wrong in being a housewife. It was my greatest fortune to always have my mother for me, and perhaps something that I would like to do for my kids. But, the only criteria is that whatever I do, I will do on own volition, not as an imposition.
If women can support the men to achieve their highest potential. Isn't it about time they start thinking about how to support us??

In conclusion, all I can say is that, I still don't have an absolute stand, choosing one extreme over the other. I just believe that life needs to be lived in moderation. No matter what I do, I will do it as I desire or mutually agreed, not on being imposed.

And that's what I expect out of this piece of writing- For women to think... think freely, and then decide.

At last but not the least, I dedicate this to all the mothers who have devoted their lives to give their children a chance to grow and ability to question, and not just accept their circumstances because that is how it is.

Ode to the mothers!!!
Cheers...
:-)

The beginning

For long I had been thinking of creating a blogspot. A place to note down my thoughts and reactions, primarily for myself, but also exchange thoughts with friends.

Insight, ability to think- is what distinguishes us as Intellectual beings.

I intend to use this space to utilitize this gift of thinking to its utmost, as I stride towards achieving my mentor's vision of a peaceful world.

Concluding this blog with a famous peom by Rabindranath Tagore-

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow
domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the
dreary desert sand of dead habit;
Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought
and action--
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

Take care... :)