THE IMBALANCE OF THE SEXES.

Ever since evolution, the question of egalitarianism has been around. But back then, as far as the balance of the sexes was concerned, both men and women had equal tasks to perform. Nature had ordained it be so! The mighty and the robust clan were allotted tasks deemed fit for their dangerous quests in the challenging circumstances. The feeble and the gentler race, was fated to nurture younglings and cultivate values in the confines of a much safer environment. Unfortunately, over the stretch of centuries, as is with human habit, the stronger began to dominate and the weaker continued to remain dominated. One group made every effort to have their heads buried in the clouds and the other was content to keep it buried under the sand. Before long, Time had set a distinct time- table for the two. And by and by, even society marked its stamp of approval.

While now and then a few tributes were paid to the petticoat clan and a few women did exalt themselves with outstanding deeds and qualifications, the inclination of the scales remained mostly in favour of the men. In general, all human beings have a tremendous reserve of strength in them, which they do not know until they are challenged. The 20^th Century women suddenly awoke to this intriguing fact. They no longer wanted to remain mere pawns in the games that men played. Instead, they wanted to come forward and be treated like the ‘Queens’ they actually were. They realized that those injunctions, which were rooted in a specific socio historical context, could not be blindly and dogmatically applied to the present times. Therefore they raised their feeble voices and demanded emancipation from their persecutors. A deliberate and slow change was brought about into the whole system. And Woman’s Liberation was in.

Many people I have come across often ask me about my views on Woman’s Liberation. Maybe because I am a woman and because I am a writer, I automatically qualify for that coveted post of a feminist. But in reality I am not. At least, not in the true sense of the word! If man and woman were sculpted differently from above, it must have been with a definite purpose. If He believes in working in mysterious ways, who are we to unravel that mystery? Just like brute force does not necessarily mean that might is right, so also by burning a part of one’s body apparel, one can hardly disregard certain physical endowments. Man and woman have different bodily functions. Both have designated roles to play. And even if we do manage to interchange the functions of the provider and the nurturer, try as much as we could, each of their biological roles, as donor and child bearer, can never be reversed.

Sure, it sickened me earlier when man tried to subjugate women, with laws conveniently designed to guarantee lifelong dominance. I wondered then, how could such bad influence live in such handsome packages? But it disgusts me even further when a woman tries to overpower a man, with wicked and emotionally manipulative methods. It then makes me wonder how such potent venom can ever dwell in such fragile parcels?

In the present generation, except in the interiors (where illiteracy flourishes) and in the minds of the MCP’s (who will forever continue to breed, no matter how much literacy is impounded in their thick skulls), there is no question of the balance of the sexes. In the demographic scales of taunts and torments in today’s metropolitan life, Eve teasing still continues- but Adam teasing is also on the rampant. Cases of genuine sexual harassment are still being documented- but a number of erroneous claims of persecution have landed many a blameless man in deep waters. Increasing rates of divorces have been recorded- but it is not necessarily the woman who is always left an emotional wreck. In short, equality has arrived but with it has come the indispensable fact that a few in the fair race do not play fair. They not only want to have the cake and eat but undauntedly flaunt it too. It is as if the new woman is almost afraid that there is a limited supply of happiness and rankings in the world and that somehow she has to beat the man to reach to this contractual zenith. Either that or it is but a way of teaching the entire clan of chauvinists a simple lesson- ‘This, my dear men, is for all those lost centuries of ancestral supremacy and the unfair dealings bestowed upon us.’

However, in a uniform world, if equality is what you want, equality is what you get. But as George Orwell puts it –‘ All are equal but some are more equal.’ Skill, cunning and affluence (even in the women kinfolk) always manage to escape and it is artlessness and naiveté that is always roped in This can be witnessed in the worst form of parity- the strong and the established not only flourish but also continue their pleas for absurd stipulations while the greener minds are schooled into transforming their lithe and feminine bodies into woman guerillas. First there were a few instances of the Liberation Tigresses of Tamil Eelam. Then some United Liberation Females from Assam came forth. Next it was the turn of the People’s War Girls. Each of their supple forms was exploited to blend with the insurgent surroundings and each of their innocent minds was utilised to mould into unsuspecting human bombs. The latest is news of over a hundred camps organized by the VHP, all across India, to train Hindu girls between the ages of 15 to 35, in karate, judo and combat with knives.

In the redundant demand for justice and equality, what kind of liberty is it that women are finally being rewarded with? Lips that sang soothing lullabies are now being taught to mouth obscenities. Eyes that sheltered tears are now being tutored to remain deadpan. Hearts that melted with warmth are now being educated to nullify pain. And a hand that once rocked the cradle is now being trained to pull the trigger.

Feminism is not a synonym for terrorism. Neither is it a man woman hate relationship. There is enough abhorrence in the world as it is. Gender issues need to be emotionally handled not vociferously demanded. True feminism is a vision for a better world- one that is safer, non violent and respectable. It is about the augmentation of the feminine race as a whole. It is about the uniformity of the mind, of accepted wisdom and an astute judgment. It is not about selective equality in the balance of the sexes- where sentiments, tears and reservations tilt the scales. It is not about women wanting to usurp the world. And it is definitely not about trying to alter the spirit of Nature!

Nargis Natarajan.