Schools in India are far from offering a gender-neutral classroom where equality and empathy are taught. Can a curriculum on sex and gender education help kids challenge our discriminatory society?
In today’s fast-moving world, where technology is growing rapidly and everything is a click away. Then where are we lacking? I believe we lack in our thinking, like in how we think about gender. Many people think that men are superior to women. But from where does this came and who has taught us this?
After thinking about it for long, I believe history can be a good example to depict gender inequality. Famous freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi once said that men must go and fight for freedom and women must take care of children and chores related to it. After knowing this fact, how can we think that our society has achieved gender equality and equally respect both genders?
I believe most of the readers must be thinking: how can such a big freedom fighter be questioned? But this is the harsh reality. At that time, followers were so influenced that they were not able to decide what’s wrong and what’s right, and what would be the repercussions for the decision we took.
Why do such inequalities prevail in a society when women have been doing so well in their careers. If men of similar thought consider that women can’t do outside work, then why has God blessed them with such a painful affair of nourishing a baby out of the womb, during which they feel like their bones are breaking apart? Well, this should also be thought of by every man who feels that women are inferior to them.
In our daily lives, we face similar experiences, for instance, while buying a bed, blanket and bedsheet. A shop owner describes the size of the three as king size and queen size, with the king-size being larger in size than the queen. This inequality is visible every time people say, “Live life king size.” Why can’t a person be happy in a minimalistic lifestyle and why is it important for one to have pomp and show? The synthesis of choices lies with an individual who will decide the society you shape.
Why are children taught that pink is for girls and blue is for boys? What’s this difference in the two colours that we have related them according to one’s gender? Why are boys and girls asked to sit apart in a school classroom? Why do they not study together, what’s wrong with that?
Rather, providing a gender-neutral environment and promoting inclusivity and integrity in all people will have a positive impact on the kids. Keeping the same rules for both girls and boys will create a good impact and give a sense of belongingness in both. Promoting sex education and making the kids understand how bodies react differently in different situations for different people will spark empathy in all people alike.
Training parents and teachers is the first step. The renovation of society is every parent’s and teacher’s duty for a better and beautiful tomorrow and we must take an active step towards a more empathetic future.