Indian TV strengthening stereotypes -

SOAP OPERAS of Indian TV have been playing a major role in promoting stereotypical patriarchal ideas in our society. Whether it is subjugation of women, or idea of women as 'perfect' housewives or even presenting women as soft targets for crime of various natures - TV has played its role successfully in all these areas.

Serials project the so-called stereotypical image of traditional women to its audience, which re-strengthens these stereotypes in their minds. House-confined Tulsis and Parvatis, who are without any individuality, face all the acts of their family members by being mere voiceless entities. The most favoured attribute that people wish to inculcate in their daughters and (especially) daughters-in-law is of being individuals with no individuality! Idealism is being reset at such a high altitude and the representation is set so much in past that it ends up confusing the people and, in turn, forces them to accept these images as a part of their lives.

India is a country that believes in holding not only its traditions and rich cultures, but also holding the 'almost-patriarchal' stereotypical norms that are attached to it. In such a situation, if TV upholds such ideas further, then it is not fair for the 'new-age' Indian women who wish to break the bounds of these patriarchal hierarchies.

Shows that portray women as soft targets of crimes at home and outside, thus give rebirth to the ideas of patriarchy at all phases in society. There are many programmes that underline crimes like rapes, dowry harassments and molestations, and even show various ways through which women are stripped out of their identity and dignity, repeatedly.

What is even more shocking is the fact that these shows more than often use women themselves to propagate the stereotypes that are typically not in favour of women.

Even when a serial projects a career–oriented woman in the initial episodes, the story itself after 2-3 turns and twists, comes back to the same old 'saas-bahu' drama.