INDImag – Contemporary fiction | Motivational short stories | Social stories | Short story criticism

We have often come across loads of material on what men want. It’s always an interesting read to delve into “his” mind.

But what is on “her” mind?

Most men often wonder – what is it that women really want?

More freedom, more money, extra comforts, what? what is it?

Media and all the DIY books aren’t very insightful in this regard. Neither are their own mothers.

So, here is a humble attempt at figuring out what my ilk is after.

In three words – Let us be.

Really, it is that simple actually.

Most girls I know aren’t your belan donning, bra burning, uncouth feminist variety.

Most of them aren’t bothered about ego, competition and proving who is better at running the house.

For all they care – they would be very happy if you earned more than they did. So don’t let such poisonous thoughts destroy your relationship.

All they seek is freedom. Freedom to think. Freedom to do as they please. Freedom to use the gray matter they have been born with. Freedom to pursue and enjoy an “identity”.

Lots of wealthy males find it difficult to understand the reasons of why their wives might want to work.

“Hum khush rakhte hain…sab khareed kar dete hain na…saari ichhayen puri karte hain…toh kya zaroorat hai kaam karne ki?”

If only life was that simple.

A woman might not want to work to prove that she is better than you. She might want to work because it gives her financial independence. It broadens her vision, it gets her to learn new things, it helps her to become wiser.

Also, this whole feminism thing goes beyond just work and financial independence.

True feminism is about a woman doing what she likes – then it could be becoming a CEO or a home maker. Whatever makes her happy.

There is a lot of negativity when “emancipated and 21st century” women are discussed.

Really, all the skepticism only makes the fight a woman faces tougher.

Most girls face this battle in their heads – they want to be the best homemakers, understanding wives and wonderful mothers. They want to be as good as their mothers/mothers-in-law. Yet, at the same time, they also want to excel at work and other interests they have.

So why should it be an either/or case for them? Why can’t it be both?

In the coming years, if women want true liberation, a lot is going to depend on them as well as on men. If men understood this basic need of a human being to excel and lead a life based on equality and freedom, we would finally stop celebrating Women’s Day, which I feel is a stupid day really.

I will end with a favourite example.

Shabana Azmi was once being interviewed. A fan asked her how she spent her leisure time. The lady replied that she cooked, cleaned, ironed clothes for Javed, etc.

To this, the fan gave her a somewhat puzzled look. Shabana was then told – “But you are a feminist!”

Now really, this is where today’s definition of feminism fails.

Shabana rightly admonished the fan and said “Cleaning the house, ironing clothes, cooking – do not make me any less feminist in nature. If only people understood what true feminism stood for”.

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