‘One extreme gives way to the other extreme. Anger begets anger. To every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Tit for tat! What goes around comes around. Do unto others what you wish to be done by them. These are some of the phrases that fit into the context of this discussion on gender equality, feminism, misogyny and humanism.
Let us visit the history, not only the past 100 years, but much older than that – thousands of years – and then try to realise and imagine how women around the world were openly / legally discriminated through generations, not only by the system but, sadly, by their own families also. Mischievously, as a male conspiracy, religion was used as a tool to do so – to control and exploit women. Our mothers and grandmothers have suffered, and their mothers and grandmothers have also suffered … they all lived second class lives, or even a third class lives in some cases, in a unfair male-dominated world.
If equality between the two genders is not proactively restored now, we’ll see the rise of another extreme, where males will be at the receiving end. And then the cycle will continue – from one extreme to the other, like a continuously swinging pendulum. The social and family life will continue to breakdown due to mutual distrust, fear and hatred.
We must accept that women, after receiving equal opportunities, education and even otherwise, have undoubtedly proven to be equal or better than men in ALL walks of life. In practical terms, women are self-sufficient and DO NOT really need men. So watch out, men!
For a fair and happy world, let us not repeat the misdeeds of our male ancestors, and even our female ancestors, both of whom were discriminatory against the women folk. Sadly, most mothers in this day and age also show strong preference for bearing male children and then an open bias towards their male children after they are born.
Education of mothers and older women is the key to eliminate prejudice against woman, otherwise feminism, as a reaction, will take its own toll on human happiness. Let ALL mothers love and treat their daughters as they love and treat their sons, without bias or prejudice.
Daughters are NOT ‘paraya-dhan’; they always remain children of their parents. Therefore, Hindus must abolish the word ‘kanya-dhan’ at the time of the wedding of their daughters. Daughters are not material objects, they are humans and human can’t be donated. No one, not even parents, have any right to do so. Readers may read my book, Issues White-anting India, for my thoughts on weddings and this gender issue.’ … Bill K Koul