Indian Women Caught in the Tug of War Between Tradition and Modern

Diana H.

Monica G.

A2

Today, women in India struggle to keep traditions yet be modernized. Traditionally, Indian women cook, take of the children, and make clothes. They were also married at a young age and had arranged marriages. As India becomes more modern, Indian women are starting to get jobs outside of the house and work alongside men. Now, more and more Indian women are starting to get married later.  The percentage of Indian women married before 19 and arranged marriages have dropped sharply. The struggle between traditional and modern creates conflict because Indian women try to keep traditional customs such as cooking yet want to be modern, such as getting a job outside the house.  Another way that this conflict is shown is with arranged marriages.  Traditionally, women are put into marriages arranged by their parents and have to pay a dowry.  Although many women there are now able to pick their own spouses, there are parents who still set up marriages with the help of technology.  For example, shaadi.com and indiamatromony.com are sites that set up arranged marriages for Indian couples. We chose this topic because are both women and would like to see Indian women become equal to men.

Indian women break the petiole of chiles that are being dried.  They earn 11 cents for every 20 kg of chiles. This represents the tradition side because the women are preparing the food.

http://home.cogeco.ca/~youngfox69/chilies%20India%20CP.jpg

Saina Nehwal, an Indian woman badminton player. She won the 2006 Philippines Open, and became the first Indian woman to win a four-star badminton event. This represents the modern side because traditionally, Indian women were not allowed to be professional athletes. However, this has changed and Saina Nehwal is an Indian woman who is a professional athlete.

 http://www.badmintonasia.org/gallery/news/Saina%20Nehwal_World%20Junior%202006.jpg

Ajala: Bye mom, I'm going to the party!

Mother: Wait, what are you wearing?

Ajala: Um... a tank top and jeans.

Mother: That is shameful! Change immediately.

Ajala: Okay, fine.  What do you want me to wear?

Mother: A sari would be nice.  I just bought you a new one.

Ajala: There is no way I'm wearing a sari to Jyoti's party.

Mother: Why not? It's beautiful!

Ajala: This is the new fashion. Everyone's wearing it, even many other Indians.

Mother: No! This clothing is disgraceful, you are showing too much skin. When I was your age, I would not even think about wearing these clothes. You must wear the sari.

Ajala: Mom, you have to understand that things are changing, including clothes.

Mother: Alright, but at least put on a sweater.

Ajala: Okay, bye mom.

Mother: Wait, aren't you going to help me prepare dinner?

Ajala: I will after I come back.

Mother: Okay, bye.

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