Encourage daughters to take up challenges, calculated risks
As Father’s Day was celebrated the world over on Saturday, I was recollecting memories of my dad that helped me become who I am today. I realise that he still has a strong influence on me
THERE IS NO DENYING THE RISE IN THE NUMBER OF CRIMES AGAINST YOUNG GIRLS AND WOMEN. DAUGHTERS SHOULD BE TRAINED IN MARTIAL ARTS AND SELFDEFENCE TECHNIQUES. THEY SHOULD BE TOLD THAT THIS WORLD CAN SOMETIMES BE UNFAIR AND THAT THEY MUST STAND TALL AND STRONG FOR WHAT THEY DESERVE AND IS RIGHTFULLY THEIRS
I was a tall and big child. That automatically made me the butt of several jokes in class during my early teenage years. But there was this one boy, who constantly kept ragging me and calling me unkind names.
Despite reporting the abuse to the teacher and me warning him several times, he wouldn’t stop. One day, I decided to take the matter into my own hands. I pushed him to the floor and punched him once.
My father was, of course, immediately called to the principal’s office. I was waiting outside. All I could see was that my principal was doing all the talking. Dad looked serious and didn’t talk much. I knew I was in trouble. After stepping out of the meeting, dad just told me “Lets talk about it at home”.
I knew I was in big trouble. Later that evening my appa told me that he was proud of me and gave me that smile of approval. That meant a lot to me. I felt I could take over all the bullies in my class.
I was thrilled that my father took pride in me and had the confidence in me that I wouldn’t have done it unless it had to be done. It is often not the incident, but how your loved one reacts to it that makes it special and memorable.
On Father’s Day, on Saturday, I was recollecting memories of my dad that helped me become who I am today. I realise that he still has a strong influence on me.
I am putting together a few things that dads can do to raise strong
independent girls Teach her that household and parenting is a beautiful partnership: You will always be her first hero. So teach by example. Remember unless the partnership becomes a reality, when she grows up into a woman – either she will have to make a compromise or burn both ends of the candle to manage it all. Real Life Female
Role Models: While it is only natural, that children today have their role models in movies or entertainment, it is extremely
important that we help them connect with real life models. We should encourage them to read about them, their stories of accomplishment and the journey it took. Place your confidence in her and let
her know: We know dads get automatically programmed to become protectors of their children, and, more so, when it comes to daughters. But let that not cripple her growth and development. Encourage them to pursue challenging activities. Do take calculated risks. Talk about equality: Let her know that this world can sometimes be unfair and that she must stand tall and strong for what she deserves and is rightfully hers. Also, let her know that the change has begun. Today most boys are being raised empathetic and sensitive to gender issues. Reiterate that its not the battle of the sexes. Make her Gurugram-ready :
There is no denying the rise in the number of crimes against young girls and women. Get her trained in martial arts and self defence techniques. “Raise your daughter so strong, that she never needs a man to take care of her.” This is one of my favourite quotes and I truly believe in it.
Many a thing have changed for the younger generation. Many problems mentioned here might be passé or not issues at all. If so, then that is great. But remember that these changes have only touched a few and a part of the society.
There is still a large chunk of the society fighting these social evils.
Our daughters and sons can play a very important role in bringing about further balance in the society. So let the conversations keep going on. (An advocate of women’s rights, Neela Kaushik started a Facebook community called Gurgaon Moms to create a local support network for mothers in the city. Today, it has more than 25,000 members)