by And why it’s time we reimagine gender roles
In India, being born a girl often comes with an invisible checklist — one that follows her throughout life.
âś… Be a good daughter.
âś… Be a good wife.
âś… Be a good mother.
But what does “good” really mean here?
Often, it translates to being silent, sacrificial, and selfless.
It means putting family before dreams, enduring without complaining, and adjusting without question.
And that’s where the real problem begins.
🌺 The “Good Daughter” Trap
From childhood, girls are taught to be:
- Respectful, even when disrespected.
- Obedient, even when they have opinions.
- Responsible, even when they’re too young to carry the burden.
A “good daughter” is often expected to carry the family’s honor — in how she dresses, behaves, and speaks.
But does anyone ask if she’s happy?
Or if she wants to follow a different path?
💍 The “Ideal Wife” Illusion
Marriage in many Indian households is treated like a woman’s ultimate goal. Once married, she’s expected to:
- Adjust to a new home.
- Take care of everyone else.
- Never complain, no matter how unfair things feel.
The message is clear:
A good wife sacrifices. A loud wife fails. A bold wife is dangerous.
But what if a woman wants to be more than someone’s wife?
What if she wants to be her own person first?
👶 The Weight of Motherhood
Motherhood is beautiful, yes. But in India, it often comes with unrealistic expectations:
- You must give up your career.
- You must always put your child first.
- You must be perfect — or else you’ll be judged.
But where is the space for her needs, her identity, her choices?
Why do we glorify motherhood only when it’s full of sacrifice?
⚖️ A Gender Equality Perspective
The issue isn’t being a daughter, wife, or mother —
It’s the limited definition of what it means to be a good one.
Boys aren’t told to “adjust” in marriage.
Men aren’t judged for not giving up careers after becoming fathers.
Sons aren’t asked to carry the family’s honor in silence.
So why this unequal pressure on women?
True gender equality means:
- Letting daughters dream freely.
- Letting wives choose their paths.
- Letting mothers be more than caretakers.
It means valuing a woman’s individuality beyond her roles.
A New Way Forward
Let’s raise a generation that doesn’t define women by how much they give up, but by how much they grow.
Let’s normalize:
- Equal partnerships in marriage.
- Shared parenting responsibilities.
- Respecting personal boundaries, regardless of gender.
Because the best daughter is one who is confident.
The best wife is one who is respected.
The best mother is one who is happy.
đź’¬ Final Thoughts
Being a daughter, wife, or mother should never come at the cost of being yourself.
So here’s to all the women who are redefining what “good” means — on their own terms.
You are enough.
Not because of the roles you play.
But because of the human you are.
