WOMEN OF TOMORROW – Are we grooming kids the right way?

Gender inequality has existed across the world since ages. Men and women have never been considered as two equally contributing wheels in the cycle of life. So, let’s just face it, without sounding preachy.

Well, we don’t have any control over whatever has happened and there’s absolutely no point brooding and fighting over who did what and the so-called distorted facts from history. But what we have a solid control on now, is the opportunity to inculcate the most basic value of equality within our kids. An EQUALITY which simply means ‘being equal’, with no discrimination based on caste, social status, region, nation and most importantly gender! Kids have the purest of hearts and here’s our chance to make an indelible impression on them and shape them into beautiful minds.

In fact, I have been thinking over this for a while now. In today’s times, women are on the brink of unadulterated liberation, like never before. A small example being – the financial freedom which women have carved for themselves now. After all, there is no freedom without financial freedom. This is just the beginning of a new era and women are raring to go.

But what needs more focus on, according to me, is liberation of men. Somehow, the sense of entitlement in men has not completely evolved. The growth of men on that front has been at a relatively slower pace than women. It’s high times their minds got really liberated. So, yes, I see the need for slightly more responsible efforts in grooming our kid boys.

Instead of making International Women’s Day or Men’s Day a farce of sorts, let’s make few genuine resolutions to ourselves, be it a man or woman.

• Believe in whatever you’re posting for the day, instead of just joining the social media wave.
• It’s difficult to modify a negative acquired behaviour. But it’s always easy to nurture the right values in young minds. Focus on the easy part.
• Raise both boys and girls in the exact same way. Don’t teach them that dolls are for girls and guns are for boys, or pink is for girls and blue is for boys. Let them figure out themselves.
• Stand up for injustice and raise your voice, no matter what.
• Send your daughters for mandatory self-defence classes. This is not to build their physical strength by the way. Women are already way more resilient, considering that their bodies are capable of child-birth. But, those bodies definitely need some training, for self-defence.
• Reprimand the girl, if her behaviour is incorrect towards a guy and vice versa. Let them know that there’s no other way, just on the basis of gender.

• Inculcate the value system of balancing both sensitivity and sensibility in life within your girls. That will definitely churn their minds into the most beautiful ones in the world.
• Teach kids the art of respecting humanity. Inculcate the value of respecting each other, irrespective of gender.
• Set a perfect example of gender equality right at home. It’s okay if the dad does the cleaning and puts the dishes in the sink, while the mom rushes for work. Each individual in the family should take ownership of his/her duties towards the house and should function together as a team.
• Let the kids play together and learn from each other. There should not be any iota of discomfort between kids just because of opposite genders. Teach them to consider each other as human beings who deserve respect first.
• Help kids be their own version of beautiful.

If we work relentlessly towards building a gender-equal environment right from their childhood, the job would be half done already. A lot is being done and a lot more needs to be done. And this process would take more than just a single day on March 8.

In no time, these little girls will turn into fiery women of tomorrow with dreams in the eyes, wind beneath their wings and nothing to deter their flight.

And I sincerely hope that these girls don’t have to still write posts on basic women’s rights and empowerment in the year 2050. I hope for a changed world in the upcoming years.

Much Love,

Wander Bird