Introduction to Childhood Learnings

Things taught in our childhood stay with us forever. Even the incidents that occur in our childhood, whether bad or good. They have an impression for a longer time lasting our adulthood. The former even affects our whole life, maybe causes some fear or phobia.

If it’s a daughter,, then she bears this burden to respect even more. She is taught to prepare herself for her future husband every day, giving up her childhood to learn cooking, etiquette, and other household chores like cleaning the house, washing clothes, and how to take care of her parents-in-law. Along with all this, the most important thing she is being taught is to respect her husband and follow his orders. His duties are prime to the family and whatever he does is suitable for the family and her children.

Let’s look at different sides by tossing the coin!

Shall we respect our parents inherently? Should you respect an abusive husband who physically or mentally abuses his partner every night? Will you be silent while your father beats up your mother? Shall you follow the odd ways of your abusive and alcoholic father? Will you support your parents even if they are morally wrong and maybe legally as well? Will you even respect them if they are not performing their moral duties as expected by society?

Follow Default Norms

Society brainwashes your mind and erases you from reality. Forcing you to respect your teacher, parents, or husband. You are a masterful child or wife. Does this not land you in a different world? The world where the shackles of societal thoughts and stigma are tied to you. You’re Not you anymore!

You become a mere puppet without much sense; your parents or husband handle the right or wrong strings. The most significant loss is that you give up your decision-making power. The destiny of your life is driven by someone else. They may not be worthy or know your potential, nor respect that.

Domestic Violence in Nation

The domestic violence happening in the streets of this vibrant country is a blotch on the nation. Thousands of women fail to fight against this because they have accepted violence as their fate. They don’t think it is a problem and believe that husbands have the right to punish them for their wrong deeds. As a good wife, you have to be submissive and impress them. Try every effort to keep them happy and be accepting of their abusive behaviour.

Patriarchal society has sown the seeds of blind husband-worship. They succeeded in eradicating their strength and generational thoughts of revenge and aggression against the violence. It is also one of the leading causes of domestic violence. Other reasons are lack of financial support to stand up, vulnerability to homelessness, and pressure from society and families to compromise for the sake of children and their future.

Act Out of Fear

Even children, when instigated with fear from their elders, parents, and teachers for respect and honor, their chances of supporting abusive behaviour become thousandfold. Observing and tolerating violence makes one equally guilty. Blindly following the bad habits of elders will end them up in a mess. Many children don’t stand against the violence done by their fathers to their mothers, the torture of themselves (sexual abuse, mental or emotional), or the ill ways of their parents because they have lost the power of judging what is right and what is wrong.

Insights from Bhagavad Gita

Brings up another thought, how could it be possible to respect someone only because they play a default role in our life. Bhagavad Gita says those who don’t do what is expected of them in their particular station/position in life will lose the respect of others. At all times, strive to do your duty concerning your commitments. Honor your obligations in life. Doesn’t this stand true for all those husbands who are expected to honor their wives? Parents and teachers teach and preach good morals to their children? Cultural change is not required. We need to go back to our roots!

Give Respect. Take Respect.

Nobody should enjoy respect just by default or as per the norms. Be it parents or husbands because it is pretty easy to make babies. At the same time, it’s most difficult to nurture them the right way. According to me, respect has to be earned, not just enjoyed without any reason to earn the same.

How Vijaybhoomi is bringing a cultural change?

As a student of this University, I feel proud to say that the majority of my perspective towards life, relationships and career changed multi-folds after joining the University. The location of the campus is such that it forces you to step out of your comfort zone, bringing a change in me and many other fellow students. The faculty at Vijaybhoomi University is encouraging and pushing students to ask questions and challenge them. The scope of thinking beyond horizons and not limiting yourself to the inputs shared is the best part. Culturally, VU is rich as we have students from different parts of the country reflecting different values. This melting pot has given a lot of air to our minds to decide for itself what is right/ what is wrong and to be rational.

By
T Aswini
BBA, 2nd year, JAGSoM, Vijaybhoomi University