Seven Indian Stereotypes That Need Breaking Right Now
There are countless ways in which we Indians love to stereotype. Here’s a list of 7 such beliefs.
We love to stereotype, don’t we? Still, there are many beliefs that are harmful and downright unfair. Here are some 7 widely-held beliefs that need to be thrown out — like yesterday.
1. That ‘Short People’ Thing
You may be strong, fit, capable, generous and funny. You may be sophisticated and intelligent. But if you’re short, that’s the first thing people notice about you. They mock you for being the first one to stand in a queue at school and tease you for appearing to be half your actual age.
Your confidence might suffer, which can then lead to other complexes.
Heightism might mostly apply to short people but even extremely tall people too suffer in similar ways.
2. ‘Men Don’t Cry’
Why is it so hard for men to cry? It is ingrained in most of us that men only express pain in moments of extreme grief but refrain from crying out open.
Is it because those who cry are considered to be vulnerable and submissive?
The truth is, crying is not just the woman’s domain. And crying is in no way correlated to being strong.
3. ‘You’re Too Old To Get It’
Ageism is probably one of the least-recognised biases. How many times have you heard older folk say, “you’re too young to understand”? And how many times have you heard the younger lot go, “he’s too old to get it”?
4. ‘Watch Out for Women Drivers’
If a driver is able to manoeuvre a car well, and is careful in traffic, he/she qualifies as a good driver, regardless of their gender. Period.
5. ‘Househusbands are Losers’
It’s not unusual for women to sit at home, cook for them and perform household work when men go out to work? So why should it be strange if the roles were reversed?
6. Women do Talk Sex
Yes, women do talk about sex. Just like men. Get over it.
7. Left-handers are Sinister
Probably not something many righties will understand. But we left-handers live in a world that is designed for the right hand — from buttons, to zips, to doors, to scissors. Worse, left-handers are told that the left hand is ‘dirty’, or ‘evil’.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)