The fall of patriarchy is not about reformation of men alone; it’s a reformation of the society as a whole. Patriarchy is not only about men feeling superior to women; it’s also about a woman feeling less powerful than a man. This is the perspective with a difference this post aims to bring into the lives of our children.
If we spent time to contemplate on oneness, inequalities within us will have no other go but disappear. It might indeed sound abstract to us who have been introduced to multiple versions of oneness. However, from a young age if we tread our children in the path of unity and oneness, that’s the best any generation can do to their legacy.
Not many of us even identify things that we have ‘made’ normal. Normalizing is the act of ‘making things normal’ that are actually not ‘normal’. On the other side, it’s time we make certain things normal that are yet considered a taboo. Let’s talk about a handful of things in this post, that we shall aim not to normalize or better normalize for the younger generation.
Adults have a far greater responsibility today in curating the media content that children are exposed to. Let’s talk about it in the context of social equality!
Simply smile at a super market employer. Strike a casual conversation with the lady who sweeps the roads. Ask your driver if his children are fine. Show children what it feels to care for people around irrespective of the job they do or the status they carry. It can be a minute step when compared to the king size inequalities around. But every little step to dissolve the differences is a giant leap toward social equality.
There is something we can call as social karma that we are contributing to and getting influenced by! So what we all collectively contribute to the society comes back as influences upon our children. And according to the laws of evolution, the stronger influences have stronger impacts on the next generations.
Let’s travel through this post into that side of our personality that makes strong judgements, opinions and criticisms of things around that are going to influence the children who see and hear those.
What can be parents’ roles in shaping and dealing with children’s identities? Every child develops unique identities. Sometimes, a little correction in how they perceive themselves when required is done, it can carry a great impact for betterment as they grow. Spot the superior or inferior identities. Let family identities not become the family’s pride. Encourage children not to lose their originality for the sake of social validation.
Retelling history to children is important regardless of whether it was good or bad in the past. But, let’s hold the history, if it is certainly unnecessary for our children. Let them carry a baggage that’s at least a little less lighter than what we are carrying. May our children walk happily, holding hands, driven and faster than we we ever were!
How can we build a generation that does not fight on the name of Gods? What can be practically done at home? How do we dissolve the notion of My God and Your God?