7 Misconceptions That Indians Have

As we all know, India is a land of diversity, in terms of culture, race, religion and seriously what not. However it is this Indian culture that comprises of many undefined and illogical taboos; taboos that either lack strong logic or some kind of proper explanation. Essentially meaning a particular kind of social or religious norm prohibiting or restricting any form of practice, with the entailment of the “forbidden” tag, taboos often tend to restrict even the basic requirements and the necessities of any individual. Irrespective of the religion, almost every Indian has, in some point of time or the other had been victims of any or most of these laid down taboos. There are definitely many Indian taboos, but here are some of them regarding which Indians should actually relax about.

● Homosexuality

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Unfortunately although we are living in this 21st century and although most of us are quite educated, homosexuality is something, even the name of which tends to terrify many. Instead of calling it a mere disease, it’s high time for the people to understand that homosexuality is actually like heterosexuality with the only difference that the former makes you fall for someone of the same sex. Instead of realizing that it is a simple bodily condition, many of the Indians actually hail themselves to be superior than those belonging to the LGBT community, only on the basis that the formers are heterosexual. Unlike the other countries, where people open-heartedly accept the homosexuals, the main problem in India with respect to this typical issue lies in the very fact that we as Indians are imbibed with certain so-called traditional and cultural norms. And it is based on this fact that many families tend to push their children for a legit heterosexual relationship aka marriage. It’s indeed high time to change the basics.

● Live-In Relationships

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Although the Hindi Film Industry aka Bollywood may have promoted live-in relationships via movies like Wake Up, Sid! and Salaam Namaste, Indians still frown upon the very idea of such relationships. And in spite of the court labelling it to be acceptable, live-in relationships are still considered as either “immoral” or simply as “infamous product of Western culture.” With reasons including lack of education, lack of communication, religious dominance along with many more, many couples are actually still fighting quite a lot against families and most importantly against society only for the sake of love. However, in spite of all these, at least the urban areas are witnessing a high number of such relationships.

● Menstruation

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Yet another Indian taboo, of which speaking or discussing is also quite shunned in India. Like homosexuality, many Indians still in this developed era tend to believe that menstruating women are actually impure; without even considering the fact that this bodily process is actually a healthy sign to show that the respective woman is actually growing physically and is developing for her motherhood. In certain societies menstruating women or girls aren’t even allowed to touch flowers or even to touch the pickle. Although most of the Indians strongly believe that the right place of an Indian woman is the kitchen, quite ironically menstruating women aren’t even allowed to enter the kitchen or to touch the utensils. Many of the girls are told to sleep in separate mats, as if they are absolutely untouchables. Although many leading programmes are often held to educate the masses, the menstrual taboo still holds a strong dominance in India.

● Sex

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The world loves it and desires the same, yet India feels even the discussion on sex can bring doomsday. Again like menstruation, Indians often feel that sex is something that should be discussed with doors closed and that too only between the “married” spouses. Dare to discuss in open, with the added zest of being a girl, you are instantly termed as slut or even a whore. Quite ironically, there are tons of red-light areas that further vent out the hypocrisy of us Indians. Failing to realize that sex is actually a physical desire quite like desire of having food, it is quite important to understand the gravity of any relationship. Unfortunately although many schools are trying to promote sex education among the teens, the mass Indians are still in the darkness.

● Rape

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Yes, just after sex it’s rape. As per again the highly honoured Indian societal norms, rape is actually nothing but an attack or rather the “loot” of a girl’s honour, as if a girl’s honour lies only in between her legs. Instead of teaching the sons to behave and not to be judgemental, raped girls are often told not to even file an FIR; because that might apparently tarnish the whole family’s image. Rape is simply a crime, a crime against the respective woman. Failing to realize this and that rape is actually not more than a gruesome physical attack, Indians even go on blaming the victims. Seriously, we need a BIG societal reform.

● Divorce

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A country where marital rape is legally considered okay, you definitely cannot expect that divorce can be good. Failing to realize that marriage is actually one part important of life, instead of being a complete life, more and more Indian couples are increasingly witnessing failed marriages. With reasons including domestic violence, infidelity, financial issues along with many more, divorce is a term that is strictly for either the arrogant ones or for the selfish ones.

● Befriending someone of opposite gender

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All thanks to the patriarchy that terms a boy and a girl can never ever be friends since real life is actually quite like those Yash Raj movies where a boy and a girl has to fall for one another. Barring the urban areas, where some people actually now have broken these illogical stereotypes, there are yet millions out there who consider that even laughing with someone of the opposite gender is a BIG BIG crime. Seriously it’s time for everyone to realize that true friendship is actually pure that actually includes good-hearted and humble humans.
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