There are a few questions which have been bothering me since I attended a Women's Commission meeting in our Church community. The commission focusses on giving equal status to women with men not only amongst catholics but in society as a whole. It also helps women to learn to live with dignity rather than face life long pain and neglect due to the atrocities done to them by our PATRIARCHAL society.
There was a topic discussion brought forward on spiritual aspect that God is not necessarily our Father but our Mother as well and instead in our prayers we should use terms like Almighty One, Heavenly One, O Divine and Powerful God etc. instead of using Father or Abba etc. They did say that wherever possible just make changes in the prayers or hymns else leave it as it is. God has motherly feelings. But we venerate Mother Mary and usually turn to her to intercede for us. God has been basically father figure. Is it necessary to go deeper in that aspect of making changes in mindset of people towards prayers and hymns? Should we focus on gender equality on a spiritual aspect ? I think this is prevalent in other religions as well in some form or the other so you can answer as per what you think in your terms.
When we think of washing clothes, stitching, child care, nurse, secretary, the first thing that comes to mind is a woman but when we say Dhobi, tailor, doctor, PR, it is a man. But there is less dignity shown to a woman in her work when its basically the same work and she is probably multi- tasking as well.
Children should be educated since a very young age that tasks should not be segregated; for example kho-kho for girls, basketball for a boys, cooking for girls or playing video games for boys. Everyone should know and do each other's house chores in rotation and it should be inculcated in them that there is no shame in doing it.
What is your say about all this? Other related questions or views are also accepted as comments here. Please forgive me if I have crossed a line I dont know about. Id appreciate it if you would make me aware.
even though it would be good step to present GOD as a neutral gender but I dont this is going to affect the gender biased PATRIARCHAL society much.
ReplyDeleteTake for example hindu relegion- here we have scores of goddesses and the "male" gods are in minority but when we come down to earth and land particularly in a house where these goddesses are worshipped, the girls/women living in the same house are treated like "consumables" - perform household chores , clean clothes , prepare food, wash utensils so on and so forth.... and if I may then i think this happens in "Bharat" &"India" both.
I am in no way saying these chores are of lesser significance. In my humble opinion these activities hold very high importance but then if these activities hold so much value then why only women are supposed to perform these tasks why not men??!
Gender Equality , Gender sensitization these things are need of the hour and we as a society, as a individual need to put in efforts for this. First step starts at home, Parents-stop differentiating between sons and daughters
second step -School; Proper Education to boys and girls equally. which makes boys aware of the fact that girls are equal & ought to be treated with utmost respect and equips girl with knowledge and makes them aware of their capabilities.....
Thank you for your feedback. It's been a while since I have visited my blog. I agree that boys and men too must perform daily household chores. Girls and women must be made aware that there are endless possibilities other than being in the kitchen! :)
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