Marriage: What is social about it in India?

I was reading “Single in the city” by Sushmita Bose and the thought of a single woman challenges crossed my mind. The book hilariously narrated incidents that were faced by contemporary single woman. The writer established a fact that being single is so chic yet it has all the burdensome issues around it. An independent professional woman is one who manages everything personal and professional on her own. I have seen single women leading life on their own terms. They never have any inhibitions on moving from a small town to a metropolitan city.

In today’s world where Vogue brings the women empowerment video “My choice” and BBC the documentary on “India’s Daughter”, my thoughts deal with the position of a spinster in the society of India. A woman in India is accepted by society when she is married. A spinster fares well in her career yet the society follows and torments her on the marital status in India. When will she settle down? Whether her parents still searching a suitor for her? Some distant aunt and uncle call her parents to ask why she is not getting married. The society decides not to invite her for a party where couples have come. The question of marriage is easily asked by every single person in a social gathering. Even by female counterparts who are married, marriage is treated as an achievement in life. The entire social gathering starts focusing on a woman’s private life. The society sets the standards of time that a girl should get married in her early twenties other wise she will not get a good suitor. Further, many girls who are very tall or highly educated find it hard to get a husband for themselves, so the Indian society discourage girls not to be too ambitious. In the professional front, a woman gathers respect and stature when she is married or else her single status is a much sought after topic of discussion in her absence. This is happening in this age where India is building rockets, establishing schools, universities, launching mechanical gadgets and women rising in various professions. The basic nature of Indian society is as primitive as the prehistoric man. Is it a Flintstone’s India?