Redefining Gender Roles

Defying socially constructed myth.

- By Dr. Ritu Kamra Kumar

"Gender equality not only liberates women but also men from prescribed roles.” — Emma Watson (English actress)

While reading The Color Purple by African-American writer Alice Walker to the postgraduate students, we came across an incident in which the young Harpo (a male character) is shown changing the diaper of his baby while his wife, Sofia, is fixing the roof of their shed. His father watches him intently and, with an ironic smile, says, “Next, you’ll be cooking food for the family while Sofia runs your juke joint—the pub.” The incident led to a debate in the classroom among the students about redefining gender roles and breaking taboos.

Many girls were of the opinion that they often come across such remarks: “Ladke ho kar tum kaam kyun kar rahe ho? Tumhari mom/ wife kahan hai? Blah! Blah! Blah!” Most of them agreed that, at home, their fathers and brothers indulge in the pleasure of televiewing or roaming around, while their mothers and sisters-in-law work incessantly. Even if the women are working professionals, the onus of running the home and managing the marathon of kitchen errands still falls on them.