We live in a society which is very particular about its trends and traditions. Following the cultural practices and continuing the legacy of stereotypes is something which is appreciated by the people around us. But, in this immensely evolving society both patriarchal attitudes and stereotypes in family relationships doesn’t go hand in hand. Sometimes people think patriarchal attitudes is referred to men but it isn’t. It is system which ignores the upliftment of women.
Peace in patriarchy is a war against women
Maria Mies
How Patriarchal Attitudes Have Affected Gender Behaviour?
Since our childhood, we were taught that men don’t overshare, men don’t cry because they are strong enough to handle everything by themselves but that’s what the system of patriarchy believes and not the men who go through everything alone because they are afraid to open up just because of some baseless design of a system. We are brainwashed from the very beginning that women are weak and cannot survive alone but this is too according to the patriarchal system and not the women who are capable of handling both work and home with an appropriate balance.
In every stage of our life, we all have been in a position where we have behaved in a manner because we were told to do so and not willingly. Every time we are pointed out for not behaving decently is because we are off the limits according to the book of patriarchal rules of behaving. We need to understand that patriarchal system is not only influencing the behavior of women but men too.
How Patriarchy Has Affected Our Choices?
Patriarchy has led to all of us to gender stereotypes, which are so deeply rooted that we are not even allowed to make choices of our own. For instance, we have always seen that we all are color type casted according to our gender. “Blue for boys” and “pink for girls” what if blue and pink are no more on the list. We never give a chance to pick instead we decide for them.
To read more about gender stereotypes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/shelleyzalis/2019/09/05/busting-gender-stereotypes-the-pink-versus-blue-phenomenon/?sh=589a0db52764
How Indian Ads Have Set Standards Of Stereotypes?
Indian Ads are one of the main reasons of stereotypes. Visual media influences a lot of people in our society and Indian ads showcasing the idea of women working at home has contributed in creating stereotypical image of women. According to the researches done, men are most likely to share more screen time than woman. It has influenced and impacted woman and girls who assume their value in the society according to the visualization they see on big screen platforms.
To read more about the topic: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indian-ads-further-gender-stereotypes-shows-study/article34379148.ece
How Patriarchy Influences Family Relationships?
Patriarchy as a system defines that men have more power than women. According to this system if men dominate or oppress women, there is nothing wrong in that. And this is a very big reason why family relationships start to fall apart.
We live in a 21st century where every gender deserves an equal treatment and an equal number of opportunities and if some system rules deny that relationships tend to not work. Days are gone when men were considered the head of the family and women were only considered for the household work. We have evolved and grown over the years but there are still places where both men and women struggle to achieve what they dream because they are the victims of patriarchal system.
To read more about the topic: http://www.californiafamilyinstitute.org/blog/how-patriarchy-affects-men-and-their-relationships
How Patriarchal System Effects Our Dreams And Goals?
Patriarchy is a system which has asked for sacrifices for so many years and from each and every one possible. According to this system many are not even allowed to dream and even tough if they are, it all comes with limitations and set of rules. There are so many women who are not recognized for their work because they are not given a chance to fly for their dreams. There are so many men who could have excelled in the field of their interest and passion but were forced to choose what patriarchy desires for them.
To read more about the topic: https://go.gale.com/ps/anonymous?id=GALE%7CA497793895&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=18139892&p=AONE&sw=w
We have been living in a shadow of a system for so many years now and its high time we take a step to break the stereotypes designed by this system. We are capable enough to stand for our aspirations. We are strong enough to take responsibility for our behaviours. We are strong enough to build the idea of our roles in this society. We use stereotypes in our daily conversations knowingly or without even knowing it. We have met the enemy of equality and that is us. We need to fight and bring out a better version of us who is not a servant of any patriarchal system but a leader of freedom.
“Our silence will not protect us. But, our radical self-will”
