Indira Chakravorty comments : i have a thought. we in the indian traditional patriarchal society are very particular about preserving the virginity, the purity of our women [keeping the 'properties' intact?]--one man only for one woman [opposite can be tolerated, but not for women no sir!] for all her life. i was wondering if, by doing what we are doing about female embryos, we are jeopardizing our [!] own interests in this regard! are we inviting rape, adultery, dowry for brides, even be very religious and proclaim women should be droupadis, it is mandated in our 'shastro'!
Sarah Malik comments : Great article! I am not Indian but Pakistani, but the conventions are virtually exactly the same. I have sat pondering this cultural phenomenon over and over in my head, unable to comprehend the absurdity of it all. It would actually be funny, if it weren't so true. Why do we women let the patriarchy let us think this way? Or at least our mothers? Sometimes i think there is nothing that we can do. But i think it can change. In the west, women achieved power through work (money=independence). If men and women have the same money-making potential, (therefore value, in the monetary minded parent's head) then she will be less of a liability. This is why the concept of women working is and has been such a threat to societies everywhere (at least initially) and they will bring up all sorts of cultural and religious bull crap. But if we are going to change anything, first we need to change the attitudes in the minds of the brainwashed women who follow their rules, and who are just as responsible for perpetuating this inequality. (Why do women cling to the very shackles that bind them?) Perhaps it is easy for me to judge being a 'westernised' woman. As you can see i feel passionately about this issue, and i think the only way to change is a collective effort. eventually the conservatives will die out anyway. Won't they? P.S- You guys out there have to help too, unless your'e so spineless, or actually enjoy your passive doormat wives. P.P.S- Your girls, the powerbrokers who are benefitting from a particular set up in society,will never initiate change (would you if you were them?!). They will do anything to preserve the status quo. We must fight for it. If we must, we'll send them to the guillotine, (just kidding).
R Macdonald comments : I wonder who all these extra boys are going to marry when they grow up?? Have their mothers and fathers thought of that while they are aborting daughters?
Nebil comments : Excellent! Well written...flows like literature. Truly, society as a whole has sinned in many ways. May god forgive us.
