Emerging Social themes from the wicked Mother-in-Law to adjusting to new Spouse and Family

 When I see Indian cinema or TV serials there is a sharp difference in the social themes that existed 10 years back and those that prevail today.

 Earlier there were themes around the wicked mother-in-law, the controlling husband, and a very suffocating environment for the women.

Now the themes have changed to women confronting their context. The Wicked mother-in-law has totally vanished and the adjusting and understanding in-laws are part of the women's context. Maybe greater education could be one reason.

In 3-5 serials I saw the women is daring out to get another partner or another husband. Themes of gay or bisexual relationship are very maturely handled without any shame or stigma. Even transgender are respected.

Even surrogacy, adoption is treated with respect and not looked down upon with shame or stigma.

Our society seems to have evolved in many modern and progressive parameters in her struggles with life.

The Pakistani serials and movies are still stuck with the poor woman identity and women are still struggling to find a decent voice or space for themselves.

If I refer to my parents to my generation to my children and grandchildren thereafter I think every generation has a huge leap in its mindset beliefs and values.

So as a society have we progressed and grown beyond the confined structures and framework of living life.

It’s not only the men who are seeking freedom but women who do not have to fight for themselves like earlier.

Today women have all the freedom to become pilots, astronauts, and scientists and pursue the career, dreams that they have.

They are not conditioned by the social or parental control of following the parent's dream.

The challenge today is how do I discover my own dreams, value it, nurture it and make it come true. 

The greatest joy in life earlier was through your children. If children did well, parents felt very proud, satisfied, and successful. In today’s generation, the men and the women both foster their dreams and children can have completely different dreams and aspirations away from who the parents are.

People also like to reflect on what life is, what is death, and what has been the journey of life. 

Where are you in all of this?

Author:-Dr. Nayana Shah (Ph.D.)

           Director, Manthan

             Ahmedabad

Comments

  1. Purnima S.February 1, 2022 at 4:42 AM

    Good observations.👍 I personally find myself reluctantly trying to move with the times when it comes to my own family. Much more emancipated when it comes to others. Strange. I know. Purnima Shah

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nayana's StoriesFebruary 6, 2022 at 9:55 PM

    Thanks for your observation

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sudeshna bhojiaMarch 16, 2022 at 3:04 AM


    There was so much rigidity about change of streams, earlier. Now it is advocated to choose one's career based on individual's aptitude, interest and personality etc.
    There was a time when failing was seen with great shame/ disgrace.
    Now, failures are stepping stones to success- a much talked about adage.
    Yes, times have changed, and should be so.
    The forces are multiple and the quantum is huge.
    If we don't change, we break... we become obsolete.
    however, what is reflected on the TV serials is true to some extent only. They shy away from portraying the real changes or the lack of it..... the commercials may be affected if the true facts are mirrored too blatantly. But they do have a definite impact on the psyche of the viewers.
    There is a shift in mindsets and a conscious effort to break stereotypes and challenge patriarchy.

    ReplyDelete

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