During the course of my conversation with my wife i came to know that Chetan Bhagat has written in Times of India about women and the article has gone viral big time.
It made me curious as there are umpteen attempts at writing women centric articles for various reasons but what is so special about this one that has made people go bonkers. I was not able to locate the article directly on the newspaper's site but i found the content on a blog (sorry for not taking prior permission to link!).
As i read through the article, it was evident why the article was so popular. It made sense. Not in any arbit way, but in a very matter-of-fact and straight to the point kind of a way. The premise is based on the findings of a survey which lists Indian women as the most stressed in the world. The research cited states that 87% of
the Indian women are under acute stress vis-a-vis ~50% American women.
Our sensibilities want us to think on the contrary relating higher workload and a higher status of living to cause more stress but the reality is quite different.
The article was a winning one because it not only outlines the problem but also proposes simple and effective measures to counter it too. I also totally agreed with the solutions laid out to help our ladies de-stress.
There were 5 core points: in-laws, undervalued at work, undervalued at home, balancing home and office, peer pressure. Now i know that the list is not exhaustive and you may know women who are not stressed by all/any/some of these but then this talks about our average lady. If you or someone you know do not fall into any of these categories, congratulations !! you/they are ahead of the curve.
For those who fall in any of the above categories, go read the article to get a fresh perspective in life. If you are still hooked to what i have written here, below is my perspective (largely rehashed and developed on the article only, sorry for the lack of originality)
In-laws (or should i say Relatives) are an integral component of the indian family system. Can't live with them, can't live without them (hopefully!) but then being married does not come with a contract of a personality change. You were chosen for what you were, you fell in love by being what you were, agreed there are additional responsibilities to take care of but you are not part of the Transformers !! Stay that way !! All expectations can never be met, just meet your own expectations and stay happy !
If you are working and sincere towards your work, you are an asset. Do not be emotionally attached to the workplace. There are better options who would give you your true worth. Go for the heady feeling, liberate yourself and work where you are appreciated. The positive atmosphere would reflect in your feeling of well being.
Undervalued at home, your poor husband does not know what he is getting into. He would probably never be able to achieve all that you do singlehandedly in double the time. Trust me, i have been living away for a long time (solely due to work :)) and life rears it ugly face everyday. Its the lady who acts like a shield and paints a rosy picture.
To all men - the ladies of your house do more than you can imagine. Show some respect, if not then just shut up or do it yourself, you will soon figure out.
Balancing home and office repsonsibilities and peer pressure are something that most ladies of the day face. As chetan bhagat put it..." This is not an exam, you don't need an A+". Look around you, if your family is happy with whatever you do for them , if your friends are there around you, if life is going smooth - stop and smell the roses. There is no end to desires and ambitions, learn to count your blessings.
I am writing this because in the recent years i have come across women who balance a lot of things while still going about their lives cheerfully. Respect !
It made me curious as there are umpteen attempts at writing women centric articles for various reasons but what is so special about this one that has made people go bonkers. I was not able to locate the article directly on the newspaper's site but i found the content on a blog (sorry for not taking prior permission to link!).
As i read through the article, it was evident why the article was so popular. It made sense. Not in any arbit way, but in a very matter-of-fact and straight to the point kind of a way. The premise is based on the findings of a survey which lists Indian women as the most stressed in the world. The research cited states that 87% of
the Indian women are under acute stress vis-a-vis ~50% American women.
Our sensibilities want us to think on the contrary relating higher workload and a higher status of living to cause more stress but the reality is quite different.
The article was a winning one because it not only outlines the problem but also proposes simple and effective measures to counter it too. I also totally agreed with the solutions laid out to help our ladies de-stress.
There were 5 core points: in-laws, undervalued at work, undervalued at home, balancing home and office, peer pressure. Now i know that the list is not exhaustive and you may know women who are not stressed by all/any/some of these but then this talks about our average lady. If you or someone you know do not fall into any of these categories, congratulations !! you/they are ahead of the curve.
For those who fall in any of the above categories, go read the article to get a fresh perspective in life. If you are still hooked to what i have written here, below is my perspective (largely rehashed and developed on the article only, sorry for the lack of originality)
In-laws (or should i say Relatives) are an integral component of the indian family system. Can't live with them, can't live without them (hopefully!) but then being married does not come with a contract of a personality change. You were chosen for what you were, you fell in love by being what you were, agreed there are additional responsibilities to take care of but you are not part of the Transformers !! Stay that way !! All expectations can never be met, just meet your own expectations and stay happy !
If you are working and sincere towards your work, you are an asset. Do not be emotionally attached to the workplace. There are better options who would give you your true worth. Go for the heady feeling, liberate yourself and work where you are appreciated. The positive atmosphere would reflect in your feeling of well being.
Undervalued at home, your poor husband does not know what he is getting into. He would probably never be able to achieve all that you do singlehandedly in double the time. Trust me, i have been living away for a long time (solely due to work :)) and life rears it ugly face everyday. Its the lady who acts like a shield and paints a rosy picture.
To all men - the ladies of your house do more than you can imagine. Show some respect, if not then just shut up or do it yourself, you will soon figure out.
Balancing home and office repsonsibilities and peer pressure are something that most ladies of the day face. As chetan bhagat put it..." This is not an exam, you don't need an A+". Look around you, if your family is happy with whatever you do for them , if your friends are there around you, if life is going smooth - stop and smell the roses. There is no end to desires and ambitions, learn to count your blessings.
I am writing this because in the recent years i have come across women who balance a lot of things while still going about their lives cheerfully. Respect !
