Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
Apply the Bechdel test for female friendships to your friends, and decide for yourself which of your friends are the ones for keeps. How? Read on to find out.
I came across this incredibly simple test called the Bechdel test. This test was popularized by American cartoonist Alison Bechdel in 1985 and essentially it is a litmus test to assess the representation of women in works of fiction. In order for a work of fiction to pass this test it needs to have:
1) Two female characters 2) Who talk to each other 3) About something other than men.
Sounds simple, right? But the fact of the matter is – there are only a handful of movies that pass this criterion each year, globally. In the Indian context, the number of movies faring well in this test is even lower. Once in a while there are movies that portray women characters who are strong and independent but very rarely do we see an on-screen representation of strong friendships between straight females. (Recent movies like Parched and Pink are a few exceptions though.)
On the contrary movies on “bromance” or men friendship themes (example – Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Dil Chahta Hai) are more common and main stream. In these bromance movies, the on-screen friends converse about life, philosophy and share their innermost vulnerabilities. As opposed to “Sex and the City” where most of the conversation between the four independent women living in New York city is about the men in their lives.
If we take a closer look at history, female friendships are rarely celebrated. We are more aware of camaraderie between men like Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, Bill Gates and Warren Buffet or the most loved bromance of recent times Barack Obama and Joe Biden. The stories of famous women in history mostly tends to follow the do-it-alone achievers.
In a culture that undermines and misrepresents the female friendships, it is important that we understand the significance of it and make sure we nurture an inner circle of authentic female friends – the ones who are our soul keepers, the ones we always go back to, the ones who push us to realize our true potential and the ones who hold up the mirror to our souls.
These “Anam Cara” (soul friends in Gaelic) in our lives could come at various life stages. Like for me, one of them was my first boss – we talked work, we travelled – discussed books, movies, ethics and life. Recently we lost her to illness, but there will always be a bit of her essence in my soul.
Beyond the emotional nourishment that these friendships provide, there are also various studies confirming health benefits of close friendship among women. Like a 2006 breast cancer study found that women without close friends were four times as likely to die from the disease as women with 10 or more friends. It’s true that as we progress in adulthood with growing responsibilities demanding most of our energy and time – our friendships take a backseat.
We might all end up being part of many “all women” networks, the ones I may refer to as networks of convenience to manage our multiple roles – like the whatsapp mummy groups that help you keep up with your kid’s homework. These networks of convenience could sometimes become the starting point of a more worthwhile friendship. But in the midst of all these “keep in touch” networks, let’s not forget to nurture female friendships that pass the Bechdel Test for female friendship. Answer these three simple questions.
Do you have friendships that could pass the Bechdel test mentioned above? If yes make sure you treasure it!
Image source: a screen grab from the movie Angry Indian Goddesses.
Sophia is the founder of Soul Cafe, a mom, a travel and life enthusiast. She has keen interest in studying human relationships and behavioral patterns. After a decade of playing various roles in the corporate read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
Neena was the sole caregiver of Amma and though one would think that Amma was dependent on her, Neena felt otherwise.
Neena inhaled the aroma that emanated from the pan and took a deep breath. The aroma of cumin interspersed with butter transported her back to the modest kitchen in her native village. She could picture her father standing in the kitchen wearing his white crisp kurta as he made delectable concoctions for his only daughter.
Neena grew up in a home where both her parents worked together in tandem to keep the house up and running. She had a blissful childhood in her modest two-room house. The house was small but every nook and cranny gave her memories of a lifetime. Neena’s young heart imagined that her life would follow the same cheerful course. But how wrong she was!
When she was sixteen, the catastrophic clutches of destiny snatched away her parents. They passed away in a road accident and Neena was devastated. Relatives thronged her now gloomy house and soon it was decided that she should be married off.
Menopause is a reality in women's lives, so Indian workplaces need to gear up and address women's menopausal needs.
Picture this: A seasoned executive at the peak of her career suddenly grapples with hot flashes and sleep disturbances during important meetings. She also battles mood swings and cognitive changes, affecting her productivity and confidence. Eventually, she resigns from her job.
Fiction? Not really. The scenario above is a reality many women face as they navigate menopause while meeting their work responsibilities.
Menopause is the time when a woman stops menstruating. This natural condition marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. The transition brings unique physical, emotional, and psychological changes for women.
Please enter your email address