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| Image Source: Vecteezy (Edited) |
Napoleon Bonaparte famously remarked that his mother was the real secret behind his success. He believed the early lessons and values his mother gave him laid the foundation for his incredible achievements. In his eyes, she was the one who built his willpower and guided his actions. It is a fact that any society takes its shape from the rules and morals practiced inside a home. And who runs the home? The woman is always the main driving force. No matter how successful a person becomes, the quiet support of a woman—whether as a mother, sister, grandmother, partner, or wife—is always there behind the curtains.
A child’s understanding of the world starts with the mother. She is literally the first teacher a human being encounters in life. A mother’s love has no conditions; it keeps flowing like a river that never runs dry. Every single child carries a heavy reflection of their mother’s personality. The values you pick up from your mother are things no school textbook can ever teach you. Since fathers often stay busy outside for work or business, children spend the most time around their mothers. Naturally, they observe and copy her actions. Whether a child picks up good habits or bad ones depends mostly on how the mother raises them. Ironically, even though women held an incredibly high status back in the ancient Vedic era in India, today, in the 21st century, their safety and respect seem to exist only on paper and in political speeches.
Even though women are often called "half the sky," they have faced exploitation through every generation. Be it for social, political, or family reasons, why does the blame always fall on them? Take a simple example: a young girl steps into a new house as a daughter-in-law, carrying a heart full of fresh dreams and nervous thoughts. She completely leaves behind the home where she grew up, saying goodbye to her own parents and siblings, just to accept a totally strange family as her own. In the beginning, dealing with sudden adjustments is bound to happen. Every house has a different vibe, different food habits, and different lifestyles. Blending into a completely new environment takes time. From the moment she gets out of bed until she goes to sleep, a new bride spends most of her time around her mother-in-law. This is exactly why the mother-in-law's attitude matters so much. If a mother-in-law holds her hand and teaches her the household ways like her own daughter, the transition becomes smooth. Showing love, explaining traditions patiently, and correcting mistakes gently can make both of them genuinely happy. A mother-in-law and daughter-in-law bond can be just as beautiful as a mother-daughter relationship if there is mutual respect.
Of course, the bride has to do her part too. She must accept her husband’s family with an open heart, giving love to everyone just like she did at her parents' house. When a bride works with respect and dedication, and the mother-in-law stops picking on every little detail, family drama stands no chance. That is how a home becomes peaceful. Historically, our society used to believe a woman should always depend on someone—her father during childhood, her husband in youth, and her son in old age. Even today, the fight for basic women's rights is far from over. A woman walking alone outside faces the constant horror of assault, and tragically, even little children are not safe from sick minds. Female feticide still happens in many places just because people do not want a girl child. This proves that many men in our society still do not view a woman as a real human being with feelings.
By labeling girls as physically weak right from childhood, society forces them into tight boundaries as they grow up. If an unmarried girl gets pregnant, the entire social shame is dumped on her, while the man walks away free. The painful stigma of widowhood applies only to women too. If a widow tries to remarry, people instantly question her character and mock her choices. Look around today—women are dominating every single field. From higher education, top corporate jobs, arts, and politics to exploring outer space, they are everywhere. Yet, some uneducated, narrow-minded people still see a daughter as a financial burden. Times have changed, but the mindset of a large section of our so-called "educated" society is still stuck in the past. What’s even sadder is that sometimes women become enemies of other women. We often see the peace of a home ruined because of unnecessary jealousy between a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law. Infertility is another massive challenge today. If a couple cannot have children, society immediately blames the woman, causing her intense mental trauma and depression. Sadly, other women are often the first to point fingers. People need to understand that a woman is not solely responsible for infertility. Instead of blindly shaming the wife, couples should go for proper medical checkups together.
Both men and women must contribute equally to make a family and society grow. We have talked enough; it is time for a real mental shift. We need to clear out these toxic, old-school mindsets and work together to build a healthy, respectful society.
(Written by: U.D)