By Prakash Rawat
Identities are socially, culturally, politically, economically, nationally and internationally set of values and construct which has been a most debatable discourse as it has been defined through different eyes. The identities of any individual are displayed or realized upon his/her social, geographical status and interconnected with different aspects. While defining cultural identities of majority of Nepali Male beings, are strongly tied with Hindu mythologies or spontaneous governing rules constructed and transferred by tradition. Our Nepali society which has lots of diversities and multiplicities in villages, communities but the oneness is visible while providing privilege in different walks of life to the males. The exceptional cases could be found where Females are given culturally privilege due to certain circumstances but overall social stratification is always discriminating in terms of Gender. The Nepalese society has carried its own norms and values through different angels. The set cultural values, treatment and division of work since history have been taken the shape of social codes which are still rampant despite many reformative attempts in different level. This short article presents the true face of my society in Nepal while viewing the gender issues where majority of educated as well as uneducated people are still trapped in deep rooted Hindu cultural values.
Gender is a broader concept and an important issue to be interpreted in different angles but in many cases it has been taken narrowly and stereotypically in surface level just as the concept of sex, either male or female. The Gender concept is indeed the concept of overall life structure how the people in the society perform their duties and responsibilities. Nepal is practicing patriarchal system of society since the long history where Male has always power to rule the family. There is more privilege of males in each and every age group though the concept is slightly changing to rule the family or society through intellectuality and capacity by female as well. The people from older generation still advocate and enjoy seeing male beings with more privilege. The following examples prove that how a deep culture has socially constructed to provide the big space for males; the responsibility of heading and controlling the family comes to the son in the case his father dies in early age and mother has the vulnerable position. Those who lost their husbands (widows) in early age are considered ”impure”[1] which is the most vulnerable situation of young widows and more it seems immoral or sin to get married with other male since she is suppose to pray for her died husband being widow till her whole life for his good place in heaven. On the contrary, if the husband loses his wife or male becomes widower in early age it seems bravery or acceptable from the society to marry another lady. The society considers it as a normal practice to be followed. So, there are a lots of privileges provided to males rather than females in eastern or Nepalese society. These stereotypes which are not tolerable by modern society are gradually changing but still the practice is rampant everywhere within the Hindu extremists. If we just talk about a family where a boy is sent to Private schools due to good facilities for the students whereas girls are sent to governmental schools where lacks the minimum requirements. These over-mentioned examples are just representatives but in real life situation we can experience many more.
In this patriarchal society, the male has been considered as a hero. Feminists either accept or reject the reality in present time, the patriarchy has taken another shape in present modern society where male and female are equally educated or equivalent in their way of life but their roles is still determined by tradition. For example, even if both husband and wife are equally educated but the responsibility of male remains to feed his wife and family. If he fails to get job and his wife is feeding the family, the society will tease the male as being impotent and lacking mannish quality. For Females after getting married if they are without jobs that can be digested by society to be dependent from her husband but for husband to be like that is shame.
Since I grew up in patriarchal society and I have witnessed the privilege of males in each and every cultural rules and beliefs. My close reading and field experience working with social organizations in rural parts of the country have made me conclude that our society has still needs to be changed from the deep rooted traditional culture for development.
The change in society must not be expected as a sudden. There is collective need of young and educated youths to be totally devoted for the social and cultural development which may take decades since there are many areas to be changed and transformed. There is still need to throw the evil and dirt from the society which hinders for the social harmony and gender equity. As a result of this, the society will be free of violence and conflict. The educational, cultural, economical and social structures should be restructured through awareness, trainings and providing education. The norms and values are so much intricate and strongly woven that the normal attempt will be failure to get success. So, the mission of youths should be strategic to get success upon it while mobilizing all the actors of society.
Hence, Identities are multiple and multi-faceted in its form but interconnected each other. Identities are sometimes culturally constructed which always hinders for the overall development of society. The identity can be prioritized upon the situation and circumstances but they are to be determined for the overall transformation of society in positive direction so that the real harmony and social justice could be achieved. One way or other way the gender plays vital role to create anyone’s identities and identities through its proper use can assist for peace building and conflict transformation. The cultural concept to provide more privilege in terms of gender is irrational exercise and such concept must be transformed to create equal space for any gender to see the harmonious society.
Contact: rawat_salyan@yahoo.com
[1] Widows are considered culturally impure in Hindu culture and required to wear only white clothes. Impure in the sense that they are not allowed to wear ornaments and considered not to participate in any religious ceremonies.
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