You think women make more sacrifices then men

In our culture, women have been time and again heralded as symbols of 'sacrifice'. This quality of 'sacrifice' tagged to a woman, it seems has been perpetuated with a hidden agenda of exploiting the women and keeping them subjugated. It is not uncommon to find the elders, the parents and the so called wise in the community to be often blindly offering the advice of 'sacrificing for the sake of the family' to the women. These advices are generally showered on women when she acts in the interest of her 'self'. She is advised to 'sacrifice' when the men in her life do not want to make an effort to support the needs and interests of the woman. This advice is given time and again when she is being made the victim of exploitation by her family. It seems as if the victimization process becomes sanctified when it is branded a 'sacrifice'. Not only that, by thinking that the women ought to sacrifice for the sake of the family, the people who exploit her take her need to 'sacrifice' for granted.

It is ironical that this myth has been perpetuated generation after generation in a land that has produced and documented many of the highest and most refined thoughts and philosophies.
If only the true meaning of the word 'sacrifice' was as popular as its distorted meaning. 'Sacrifice' is not at all about 'denial' or 'suppression' of interests and desires. 'Sacrifice' is about setting aside certain things while pursuing one's passion and interest that defines and creates who you are. 'Sacrifice' is simply about choosing passion over other interests of life. 'Sacrifice' is never an effort on part of the person who is sacrificing although it may seem to be so for an onlooker.

For example, an activist who is passionate about working for a cause, may decide to give up a comfortable lifestyle and adopt the one which is not physically comforting. In such a case, for the activist, this 'sacrifice' or 'renunciation' is a choice that results very naturally from pursuing her passion.

Now, when we view the 'sacrifices' the women are 'asked' and 'coaxed' into making in light of the true meaning of 'sacrifice', we can clearly see that they are not 'sacrifices' at all! If a woman wants to pursue her interest about which she is passionate but instead is forced to make the choice of not pursuing it for the sake of her family, it is denial of herself not a 'sacrifice' that she is making. She is 'forced' into making the 'sacrifices' as the men in the family do not (want to) or cannot make an effort to be supportive of her interest and passion. Hence promoting and even glorifying the sacrifices made by women serves perfectly the interest of a patriarchal society. There are so many women who succumb to the false glory of 'sacrificing' and are not even aware that in the process all they are really doing is killing their 'soul'. To many such women the realization of this loss hits them at a much later age when often it is too late.

If a woman does gather the courage to go against the expectation of 'sacrificing', she is immediately branded a 'selfish'. And unfortunately so negative and under-rated is the attribute of 'selfishness' that many women do not feel very happy and comfortable about it and it is enough to force them to re-consider their action. Only very few women remain courageous and stand their ground and pursue their passion and interest despite the resistance. Also very few women are fortunate to get the support of the family and are not expected to 'sacrifice'.

Whether or not the woman needs to 'sacrifice' anything, it must be her choice and not the choice made for her by her family. What must she sacrifice must also be her and her choice alone. There are women who by their own choice, choose to give up a lucrative career for their passion and interest of being a home-maker. Such women are to an extent fortunate as their choice does not conflict with the normal expectations of the society. However, it is women whose passion lies elsewhere and outside their home who have to face the challenging consequences of shattering the expectations of the patriarchal society. It would be in the interest of their ultimate happiness for these women to become aware of the true meaning of 'sacrifice' when it is being used by the society to make them into a 'sacrificial lamb'

Hindu culture not only expects women to sacrifice for the interest of others, but men also. Did Shri Ram not sacrifice the throne for his father's good name and live in exile for 14 years? And did the Pandava brothers not sacrifice their self interests and follow their eldest brother into exile even though they had done nothing wrong? Hindu scriptures are full of examples where both men and women make sacrifices and are therefore exalted.

Originally posted by: JanakiRaghunath

Hindu culture not only expects women to sacrifice for the interest of others, but men also. Did Shri Ram not sacrifice the throne for his father's good name and live in exile for 14 years? And did the Pandava brothers not sacrifice their self interests and follow their eldest brother into exile even though they had done nothing wrong? Hindu scriptures are full of examples where both men and women make sacrifices and are therefore exalted.

The meaning of a true Hindu is to sacrifice for the welfare of others, whether he/she be man or woman. If one does not want to sacrifice, they need not, but they should not complain when one who does sacrifice is praised. Sacrificing self interests for others is always greater than looking after one's own interests first, but no one need be forced to do anything. They should just not complain at what others choose to do.

And women should stop complaining about their place in society. Today, both men and women are equal and many women do what they want. It is not the Stone ages, so instead of always differentiating between men and women, women should accept that men too are good in this world, that men too make sacrifices and care for their family, not only women. No gender is lesser than the other. Just as men are expected to realize this, so should women.

Originally posted by: JanakiRaghunath

Hindu culture not only expects women to sacrifice for the interest of others, but men also. Did Shri Ram not sacrifice the throne for his father's good name and live in exile for 14 years? And did the Pandava brothers not sacrifice their self interests and follow their eldest brother into exile even though they had done nothing wrong? Hindu scriptures are full of examples where both men and women make sacrifices and are therefore exalted.

The meaning of a true Hindu is to sacrifice for the welfare of others, whether he/she be man or woman. If one does not want to sacrifice, they need not, but they should not complain when one who does sacrifice is praised. Sacrificing self interests for others is always greater than looking after one's own interests first, but no one need be forced to do anything. They should just not complain at what others choose to do.

And women should stop complaining about their place in society. Today, both men and women are equal and many women do what they want. It is not the Stone ages, so instead of always differentiating between men and women, women should accept that men too are good in this world, that men too make sacrifices and care for their family, not only women. No gender is lesser than the other. Just as men are expected to realize this, so should women.

Try to look out of your closed walls, you will witness the grim reality of the society. Its still the stone ages in most parts of the country when it comes to rights and dignity of women. Now you don't want them to complain also 😕 Things might be good in your part of the world but before making such a sweeping statement you should look outside your cocoon.

https://www.thp.org/where_we_work/south_asia/india/research_reports/chronic_hunger_and_status_of_women

Women have always been the unifying factor in a family and their role is generally greater than that of a man. Often in a break up she will stay with the kids for several reasons.

I know not all women have it easy, and I honestly do sympathize with them, but from the part of the country where I come from, I've encountered so many proud women who have everything and are allowed to do whatever they want by their families and they end up making the wrong decisions which not only hurt others, but themselves too. Sadly, they do not realize this until the end. And at the same time, I've encountered so many sweet tempered men who are on the receiving end of insults simply because they are men and therefore people think they are chauvanistic and do not support women's rights, when in reality they are not.

Originally posted by: JanakiRaghunath

I know not all women have it easy, and I honestly do sympathize with them, but from the part of the country where I come from, I've encountered so many proud women who have everything and are allowed to do whatever they want by their families and they end up making the wrong decisions which not only hurt others, but themselves too. Sadly, they do not realize this until the end. And at the same time, I've encountered so many sweet tempered men who are on the receiving end of insults simply because they are men and therefore people think they are chauvanistic and do not support women's rights, when in reality they are not.

I just think people should think about the men's situation these days as well and not only women's. In many places of work, women get first preference when being hired for a job simply because they are women. Is that fair?

I guess women do not know how to handle power 😆

Originally posted by: JanakiRaghunath

I know not all women have it easy, and I honestly do sympathize with them, but from the part of the country where I come from, I've encountered so many proud women who have everything and are allowed to do whatever they want by their families and they end up making the wrong decisions which not only hurt others, but themselves too. Sadly, they do not realize this until the end. And at the same time, I've encountered so many sweet tempered men who are on the receiving end of insults simply because they are men and therefore people think they are chauvanistic and do not support women's rights, when in reality they are not.

I just think people should think about the men's situation these days as well and not only women's. In many places of work, women get first preference when being hired for a job simply because they are women. Is that fair?

I understand that you are expressing your opinion based on your personal experiences but that is not a general scenario in our country. Only 1-2% women may enjoy equality but not the majority.

http://features.ibnlive.in.com/zindagilive_view.php?content_id=111202&id=0


This is the reality for millions of women and most of them are living their life helplessly.
It is shocking to see that even educated women from well to do families are abused and subjected to severe cruelty.

well honestly i have to agree with Bartz here....despite this being the 21st century where women's lib is the normal order, yet many zillions of women in rural corners of the country are tread on and prevented from realizing thir rights...that makes for a very unpleasant but true reality of our country.

Originally posted by: krystal_watz

well honestly i have to agree with Bartz here....despite this being the 21st century where women's lib is the normal order, yet many zillions of women in rural corners of the country are tread on and prevented from realizing thir rights...that makes for a very unpleasant but true reality of our country.

You are only agreeing to Bartz - so sad 😆