#8: Standards... ugh
Imagine: you are watching/reading a period piece drama. Something like Pride And Prejudice or Little Women. Both of these novels/films focus on the subject of marriage. Coincidentally, the Bennet and March families only have daughters - coming upon the age where they much marry. These two pieces really give us an idea of how life was like for a girl at 16 years old, in the 1800s. Think of it like this: you are expecting a suitor to arrive at your house. This is one of the most important days of your life - it will shape your entire future if this man chooses you to marry. In the 21st century, this is very impractical. Many marriages happening now are formed through mutual love.
Or so we thought…
In India, for example, arranged marriages are still quite common. Almost 20 million arranged marriages happen every year. Societal culture demands a lot from the woman: for her to cook, clean, have children, take care of the children, and somehow earn money? As said in Judy Brady’s “I Want A Wife”, “I want a wife who will… a wife who…”. Though her piece is sarcastic, it is calling out this type of culture. The male perspective is full of wants and wishes, while the woman’s only job is to fulfill his every last command.
The only thing I hope for the future is gender equality. Neither should a man nor a woman feel compelled to tend to the needs of their spouse, with nothing in return.
I like that you made a comparison of period piece dramas to modern times to emphasize the absurdity of the idea that the same traditions stand today. Your last few sentences about your hopes for the future were a nice way to tie the issue and potential solution together.
ReplyDeleteI've always thought that Pride and Prejudice and Little Women were unabashedly feminist pieces (at least for their time), but you're right: the first line of Pride and Prejudice is about how every man must be in want of a wife (I'm paraphrasing here :))... while Jane Austen does a lot to subvert those stereotypes, even letting Lizzie reject Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy (the first time, at least), there are a lot of undertones of desperation from Lizzie's mother that, in America in 21st century, most of us just can't understand. But for countries where arranged marriages and dowries are still happening, whether it's the royal family or India, they DO understand this attitude of necessity about marrying the "right" person.
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