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Does having an income automatically make women financially independent? Do they take their own financial decisions or do they still rely on the man of the family, be it a father, husband or brother?
If you are lover of the chick-lit genre, chances are you have read the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella. This series of books revolves around a woman, Rebecca Bloomwood, who is a financial journalist but never practices what she preaches and is a compulsive shopper. In short, the only thing she does with money is to spend it. No matter how much one enjoys reading this light-hearted book, it’s time we stop looking at women as incapable of handling their own money.
Noted Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, in one of her books, talks about the idea of Feminism Lite( which she advises us to reject entirely). According to her, Feminism Lite uses analogies like, ‘he is the head and you are the neck’ ‘he is driving but you are in the front seat’ and in general uses the language of ‘allowing’. Women, for generations, had been conditioned to give away financial control to the ‘head’ of the family.
Of course, times have changed. Though working women are no more a rarity, are women really financially independent? Does having an income automatically make them financially independent? Do they take their own financial decisions or do they still rely on the man of the family, be it a father, husband or brother? Is money a topic of discussion amongst women during a coffee break? How much money should one save?
Here are five enterprising women who are financially independent discussing their financial attitude, what it takes to be financially independent and their take on the six-month reserve funds. It is about time we take charge and feel truly empowered. Watch this episode of The Prathibha Sastry show to know more!
Entrepreneurship and entertainment have been the key themes in her work life. In a career spanning over 18 years, she has launched a film magazine, hosted a film-based radio talk show and co-founded read more...
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Stop glorifying biological parenthood - other methods of growing a family are just as valid, and completely a couple's choice, especially of the woman whose body goes through pregnancy and birth.
Stop glorifying biological parenthood – other methods of growing a family are just as valid, and completely a couple’s choice, especially of the woman whose body goes through pregnancy and birth.
Trigger Warning: Contains derogatory remarks about having a baby through surrogacy or any means other than giving birth through biological means, and may be triggering, especially to adoptive parents.
Recently Priyanka Chopra Jonas announced parenthood by surrogacy. This has once again sparked the debate about ethical surrogacy, which is a discussion for another day.
Why do parents avoid explaining the physical part of relationships to their children? The mindset is-'they will learn on their own like I learnt.'
Marriage. A word with conflicting sentiments. Love, exhilaration, fear, and adjustments were all deep sentiments that tingled in the pit of my stomach from time to time. However, I believe that the final decision must be taken solely by the two persons after the completion of courtship period (or whatever you call it).
My cousin got married in this lockdown. She was not very excited about the shrinking guest list. Though she was ecstatic she had me. More than the sisterhood bonding, we apportion a cognation of mentor-student. Moreover, I feel so protective towards her as she is introvert, shy, and timid. All I endeavoured and wanted her was her voice and a stand for herself.
It was her mehndi the day I reached. She rushed to hug me with those moist eyes. Fighting back my tears and holding her in my arms, my mind toggled between past and present. “I am so happy you made it di,” she said. It was the moment of mixed feelings, a reminder of the time when I was naïve to the change marriage brought into my life. I inhaled my lungs full of air in disbelief that the baby girl is getting married in two days. She blushed as others giggled and teased her asking her about the guy.
Director K Balachander with his movies and the independent women with agency over things irrespective of the situation they are in, are why I am a feminist!
I was wondering the other day about the major factor that contributed to my awareness about feminism. What was it before I got exposed to the activists, books, articles and talks about it? And, in fact, even before I knew the word feminism.
The answer is movies of K Balachander, one of the greatest directors of Tamil cinema. All his movies are way ahead of its time in talking about women. The women in his movies are independent and have agency over things irrespective of the situation they are in.
Financially well-off is not the same as financially independent. True financial independence for women occurs when they can earn money, save it, invest it and spend it wisely.
Recently when a lady colleague of mine asked for a transfer to another city, I was happy to oblige. The next day she detailed it further – she needed some time away from her second husband. The day after however, turned to be puzzling and a little exasperating too – she needed a loan in addition to the normal travel advance; the exasperation, because the amount was paltry and the puzzlement because I strongly felt that a working woman with so many years of experience should have not have to ask favours for such small amounts of money…
She must have had her reasons. Maybe things didn’t work as planned, but the bottom line after all the credits and debits that life had given and taken, was not one to be proud of…