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Why does a woman have to be married to be settled? What is wrong in being an unmarried woman having a fulfilling life?
Two years ago all I wanted was to be married and settled. Yes, settled. The “me” of then really thought settled meant husband and babies.
Alas, I refused to be part of the charade – well needless to say was rejected, or better to say I was considered an outcast from my society, as I refused to agree to paying a dowry. Who gets married without dowry that too to an NRI groom?
My near and dear ones still think I live on Cloud Nine and once I fall I will realize my grave mistake. The list includes not only blood relatives, but neighbors as well.
It was heartbreaking at first. I was torn between desire to be a good daughter and sister, and to be myself. There is a social taboo that says if the elder sister is unmarried, the younger sister will find difficult in getting hitched.
And oh before I forget, let me say that I am supposed to live in the era of feminism. I am supposed to live in the era of free speech and gender equality. I am supposed to live in a modern friendly society!
Let me tell you where all this is leading – it all it should have been a pleasant experience for a 30 something me when I recently purchased two bedroom flat.
However I was wrong.
In a recent Society meeting every one present asked my husband’s name and email id! They wouldn’t believe it when I told them I was unmarried. I had to stress that “I am not married/ NEVER been married!” All the people there were all in the same age group as me; hence not even generation gap issue.
It does not affect me at an emotional level but at an intellectual level, I still find it difficult to understand society’s preoccupation with MARRIAGE!
Life is beautiful these days. Indeed it is true that experiences makes us who we are. From a depressed struggling individual to successful business woman today, I strive hard to seek answers which still haunt me.
What is marriage?
Is it a compulsion or is it a choice?
Is it a safety vault where girls can secure their life?
Is it a license to have sex?
Is it union of two body to become one soul?
Is it being settled ?
Is it permission to procreate?
Is it a guarantee of happiness?
I am not against marriage. I am also not a rebel. I believe in love.
I am thirty something woman. But yes I am woman with dreams. Woman with hopes. Woman with desire. Woman with a heart full of compassion and love.
A woman who is still figuring out the answer to the question when asked, “Why are you still not settled?”
Image source: annoyed and baffled woman by Shutterstock.
Founder@AngeTactile ( Angel Touch). Tarot Card /Angel Card reader. Image Consultant An Engineer by Education, Classical Dancer by passion and Writer by Choice. I am passionate about Educating Girls/differently abled children in India and read more...
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