'Chandra Vaanam’ shouted the wordings on his door and inside was an interesting office space. It was a couple combo passion house that combined his wife's tailoring unit and Gobi's varied professional interests related to media and talks.
Idols, paintings and quotes reflected an ideology - patience and fire. A tiger with a composed expression but fire in it's eye, Buddha dolls and quotes on the power of patience adorned the office. An array of awards showcased behind glass doors stood testimony of Gobi's cognizance. I felt a strong urge to enquire about his passion and find out the answer to a burning question that I always had in mind - Why do women not get to the higher echelons of management in their careers due to being thrust as the primary caretaker of the family?
As I finished my business with him, I did sprout this doubt that I held hard within my throat for ages. “Why should they?” “Because, we want to,” I said. “Then you will,” he easily darned. “I know we will but what about a stereotypical society that pulls back women as the primary caretaker of a family, thus curbing her growth?” I countered.
“Women are better than men in management. While I look at only you, you will look at ten things around me,” he made up. “Of course not, I'm only looking at you!” I snapped. “That was just an example,” he tread on confidently. “In every animal species, the female is the hunter. Hence proved that women are more powerful,” he alluded.
“Women are. But gender defined activities are bad. A smoking man and woman are looked upon differently. A cat-call is common. And importantly, women are thrust as primary caretakers,” I complained. “Scientifically, women are more sensitive to a child's needs. A dependent child forms a family structure, thus making women the primary caretaker,” he put forth with ease. “What about a woman's career then?,” I iterated clouded. “In Europe, a place where a plausible gender equality appears, you do not find women in top positions,” he stated as I looked on sceptically. “While in Asia, Benezir Bhuto, Aung San Syuu Ki and Jayalalithaa were women leaders to name a few who were in top positions in Asia.” “But the price they paid to be there is much,” I struck. “Gandhi too did,” he justified. It struck me how I was filtering the price to be paid as a gender thrust punishment when it came for women and thus paving way for stereotype myself.
No, that does not endorse gender defined roles created by the society. It's important to say no to injustice while it is completely okay to do the balancing act between family and career. What's important is crusading and not complaining about the price you pay to be where you want to be. More power to pink!
