Given the patriarchal social setup of the subcontinent and traditional gender norms, the public response to Sania Mirza’s non-confrontational response to Shoaib Malik’s second marriage reflects how women should be expected to behave in the event of betrayals. In a society where women’s worth is frequently determined by how well they conform to male expectations, Sania Mirza’s cool response to Shoaib Malik’s second marriage earned her public acclaim. This was particularly evident on social media, where she received a lot of praise for her non-confrontational style in a number of posts, the majority of which were written by men.
This reflects the mysogistic patriarchal ideal that women should be understanding, even in the face of personal betrayal or injustice. This situation highlights the disparity in expectations and accountability between genders. While women are expected to be restrained and accepting men’s actions, even those involving betrayal or infidelity, are frequently overlooked. The reaction to this event also emphasises the societal pressure on women to maintain a veneer of grace and composure, fostering a narrative that prevents them from expressing legitimate grievances or challenging male entitlement.
It raises critical concerns regarding women’s rights to voice out against injustices in intimate relationships, as well as the greater need to challenge and redefine ‘ideal’ behaviour in the context of gender equality and respect.
Furthermore, this incident highlights the often one-sided narrative that prevails in patriarchal societies about women’s behaviour following separation or divorce. The idea that women keep calm or convey goodwill in the face of infidelity not only upholds male privilege but also trivialises the emotional trauma and betrayal that women go through in such situations. This social norm feeds into a culture that marginalises women’s feelings and rights. It is imperative that we push for a more balanced discourse that respects and validates the experiences and feelings of women while challenging deeply ingrained norms that require women to put society’s opinion ahead of their own health and self-respect.
Remember how Deepika Padukone was subjected to harsh criticism and slut-shaming after she candidly discussed her past relationships on a TV show? Her openness led to an internet backlash of disparaging memes. In these memes, Ranveer Singh was portrayed as a victim, and she was unfairly accused of infidelity.
The criticism she received is related to the broader issue of how women are viewed and assessed in patriarchal cultures. This circumstance is similar to the one that was discussed previously regarding what society expects of women in intimate partnerships. There is a double standard in society when it comes to female sexuality and autonomy; women like Deepika Padukone face criticism and shame, while men are frequently subjected to less scrutiny for their romantic pasts.
The act of dehumanising and controlling women through slut-shaming is a tactic that upholds patriarchal norms that determine a woman’s value based on her sexual past and behaviour, especially when it comes to romantic relationships. These responses show how much we need to change in terms of how society views women, so that their personal relationship choices and freedoms are valued and not unfairly condemned or denigrated.
In situations like this, society must reflect and understand the role of the patriarchal framework. This entails acknowledging and challenging the social customs and privileges that have historically favoured men, especially when it comes to terms of relationships and personal behaviour. Society ought to pay attention to and validate women’s narratives and experiences, rather than dismissing or trivialising them.
By reflecting on mysoginistic social norms and behaviours, society can help foster a more equitable and respectful discussion about gender dynamics. This introspection is critical to advancing towards a society in which men and women are subjected to the same levels of respect and accountability in both their personal and public lives.
Finally, public reactions to Sania Mirza and Deepika Padukone reveal deeply ingrained gender biases and double standards. These instances highlight the urgent need for a shift in society’s perspective in which women’s personal choices are valued rather than criticised or shamed. It is critical for society to examine and challenge patriarchal norms that unfairly favour men while marginalising women’s emotions and experiences.
The writer is Lecturer History and PhD Scholar (GCUL).
Sania is Sure a Class, But Does the Society Introspect?
Given the patriarchal social setup of the subcontinent and traditional gender norms, the public response to Sania Mirza’s non-confrontational response to Shoaib Malik’s second marriage reflects how women should be expected to behave in the event of betrayals. In a society where women’s worth is frequently determined by how well they conform to male expectations, Sania Mirza’s cool response to Shoaib Malik’s second marriage earned her public acclaim. This was particularly evident on social media, where she received a lot of praise for her non-confrontational style in a number of posts, the majority of which were written by men.
This reflects the mysogistic patriarchal ideal that women should be understanding, even in the face of personal betrayal or injustice. This situation highlights the disparity in expectations and accountability between genders. While women are expected to be restrained and accepting men’s actions, even those involving betrayal or infidelity, are frequently overlooked. The reaction to this event also emphasises the societal pressure on women to maintain a veneer of grace and composure, fostering a narrative that prevents them from expressing legitimate grievances or challenging male entitlement.
It raises critical concerns regarding women’s rights to voice out against injustices in intimate relationships, as well as the greater need to challenge and redefine ‘ideal’ behaviour in the context of gender equality and respect.
Furthermore, this incident highlights the often one-sided narrative that prevails in patriarchal societies about women’s behaviour following separation or divorce. The idea that women keep calm or convey goodwill in the face of infidelity not only upholds male privilege but also trivialises the emotional trauma and betrayal that women go through in such situations. This social norm feeds into a culture that marginalises women’s feelings and rights. It is imperative that we push for a more balanced discourse that respects and validates the experiences and feelings of women while challenging deeply ingrained norms that require women to put society’s opinion ahead of their own health and self-respect.
Remember how Deepika Padukone was subjected to harsh criticism and slut-shaming after she candidly discussed her past relationships on a TV show? Her openness led to an internet backlash of disparaging memes. In these memes, Ranveer Singh was portrayed as a victim, and she was unfairly accused of infidelity.
The criticism she received is related to the broader issue of how women are viewed and assessed in patriarchal cultures. This circumstance is similar to the one that was discussed previously regarding what society expects of women in intimate partnerships. There is a double standard in society when it comes to female sexuality and autonomy; women like Deepika Padukone face criticism and shame, while men are frequently subjected to less scrutiny for their romantic pasts.
The act of dehumanising and controlling women through slut-shaming is a tactic that upholds patriarchal norms that determine a woman’s value based on her sexual past and behaviour, especially when it comes to romantic relationships. These responses show how much we need to change in terms of how society views women, so that their personal relationship choices and freedoms are valued and not unfairly condemned or denigrated.
In situations like this, society must reflect and understand the role of the patriarchal framework. This entails acknowledging and challenging the social customs and privileges that have historically favoured men, especially when it comes to terms of relationships and personal behaviour. Society ought to pay attention to and validate women’s narratives and experiences, rather than dismissing or trivialising them.
By reflecting on mysoginistic social norms and behaviours, society can help foster a more equitable and respectful discussion about gender dynamics. This introspection is critical to advancing towards a society in which men and women are subjected to the same levels of respect and accountability in both their personal and public lives.
Finally, public reactions to Sania Mirza and Deepika Padukone reveal deeply ingrained gender biases and double standards. These instances highlight the urgent need for a shift in society’s perspective in which women’s personal choices are valued rather than criticised or shamed. It is critical for society to examine and challenge patriarchal norms that unfairly favour men while marginalising women’s emotions and experiences.
The writer is Lecturer History and PhD Scholar (GCUL).
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