Her Parents

So I got to read today this piece of news on social media - “Married daughter also has obligation to maintain her parents, Bombay HighCourt”. Finally there is a ruling that supports gender equality.

I always feel bad when I hear a parent say they have to tend to themselves because they are son-less. And the primary reason they prefer a son is because he is bound by duty to obediently provide his parents financial support and/or a daughter-in-law who is a caregiver to them. A daughter who loves her parents feels equally as a son to support her parents emotionally and/or financially. This should be a motivation for women to work. It’s time to apprehend that marriage isn’t just about binding to your in-laws; you are still your parent’s daughter. ‘Is my daughter and Like my daughter’ makes hell lot of a difference.

In Indian marriages, the ritual Kanya-Daan implies - “The girl no longer remains the daughter of her parents and now that she has been donated to her new family, anything except her family belongs to them.” This is on top of wedding expenses borne by the girl’s family which I consider as a form of implicit dowry.  If it isn’t then there should be a balanced share of expenses. And I hate the girl being called an asset/ property. They aren’t any form of chattels you see.

Maybe the society is changing but it’s at Tortoise's speed. It can be accelerated if the current generation of parents bring up their son & daughter with fair thoughts on responsibilities and are not biased. There is simply no dubiety in any situation for a married daughter whether or not to provide for her parents. If a son should, so should a daughter. (Period)