Introduction:

By any chance if you have felt the above heading

, then you must be knowing that how our societies have different norms based on gender, and it's been there since ages. Throughout history, we have been discussing the word "Patriarchy," which we can see as toxic masculinity. On the other hand, girls have been kept oppressed.

This topic recently gained more attention after the worldwide movement started by women: MeToo, where women from different parts of societies shared their experiences of being harassed and assaulted, which shows how they are restricted in normal life. Simultaneously, we are seeing the development of toxic masculine culture, which takes a toll on the mental and emotional well-being of boys, making them demanding.

The quote from Simone de Beauvoir says societal pressure and gender-specific expectations can be equally harmful to both genders.

One quote from Mahatma Gandhi seems promising here: the development of a nation is distant and unfulfilling until we realize that the development of rural areas is the precondition.

So here, we'll be examining oppression and the demand on two pillars of society, mainly with respect to rural areas.

Girls' Restrictions:

In all aspects of life, we can see that girls are being oppressed, whether it is related to education, career, businesses, or having a political life. Let's explore it one by one.

Education:

In rural areas, you can easily find that girls are being confined to household chores and are seen as less competent than boys. Parents usually see them as brides who will get married at a certain age and start their married life. However, this scenario is changing now, and it has already changed in urban areas. An example is Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head for promoting education for Afghan girls.

Career Aspirations:

Gender stereotypes and expectations can limit the career aspirations of girls. They are often forced to avoid jobs that are male-dominated and are restricted to "pink-collar" jobs. However, things are changing, and even the Indian army has started recruiting girls through NDA (National Defence Academy), which was previously available only to boys. The gender pay gap is another issue; girls receive 81% of the pay that men receive.

Social & Cultural Norms:

Social and cultural norms have existed for ages, affecting girls' dress sense and how they should behave and interact with others, undermining their capabilities and aspirations. Recently, we saw news from Iran where women protested against the hijab rule, and it's surprising to know that Iran has a separate department/military that checks women's morality, including how they wear hijabs.

Gender ideologies often prompt couples to assign women extra family duties while men focus on their careers.

Early Marriage & Motherhood:

This norm is still present in some parts of our society, and it limits girls' opportunities for education and personal development.

Limited Mobility:

this restriction is still prevalent, with girls needing permission to travel alone, hindering their experiences and independence. In rural areas, girls often need permission, and that too, only if other girls are going for the same purpose.

Boys' Limitations

Traditional masculine expectations: Boys are often made to face societal demands to conform to traditional norms, which can include suppressing their emotions, showing sheer dominance, and avoiding vulnerability, even though these expectations may be contrary to their natural inclinations.

. “Boys need healthy self-esteem. They also need love…Patriarchy will not heal them.”

— Bell Hooks.

Academic & Career Demand:

In general, boys are pushed to excel and achieve more in academics at the cost of their mental health and well-being.

Physical Appearance & Demand:

they are often pressured to appear strong and dominant to meet societal norms.

. Pressure To Provide:

few decades before, parents were having more number of child

s in search of having baby boys, its still there at some extent. Boys are often taught to take care of their families and everyone which results in, boys giving up their aspirations.

As all of these points are still deeply ingrained in our society, there is an urgent need to tackle these societal expectations and demands that are harming our future generations.

Reform within society is compulsory to overcome this issue, which can be achieved through a reexamination of our history and a reinterpretation of texts. We have seen clear contributions from both genders in fighting against British and invaders in ancient history, and we need to revisit and incorporate these contributions.

Education is the most feasible and straightforward option to address this issue. As the number of educated individuals grows, these cases of restriction and demands will diminish.

The government has already taken numerous steps to educate girls and involve them in mainstream development areas. We have already seen the huge success of "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao," and we need more similar policies to integrate girls into society.

As both genders are pillars of society, one nation cannot develop fully unless both genders contribute. In a recent parliamentary session in the new parliament building, the government passed a reservation bill for women to participate in politics, which is a significant step forward. We need to make it successful.