Back in the day, I remember filling out school and college forms and asking why there wasn’t a ‘mother’ option under the guardian’s column. Forms almost always had ‘father/guardian’s name’ written on them and that used to make me really uncomfortable. However, with times changing, you wouldn’t expect such forms to exist even today, but they do.
A woman took to Twitter to post a picture of a certain form which did not have the option of ‘mother’ under the guardian’s section. So she went on to add the option with a pen, put a tick-mark on it, and wrote down her mother’s name.
“Mummy ka column kyu nahi hai bhai?” she asked.
Mummy ka column kyu nahi hai bhai. pic.twitter.com/8bCnPKXpSw
— Tanvi Vij (@tanvivij92) December 7, 2020
The form struck a chord with many and people questioned this regressive practice. While there were many who defended the practice of calling only fathers ‘guardians’, several others justified why a mother deserves equal right to be called a guardian.
After all, in today’s age, there are plenty of women across different sections of the society who take care of the financial needs of the family. And what if a child is being raised by a single mother? With the absence of the ‘mother’ option, which box should the child tick off?
Adding mother's name is not equal to deleting father's name. Idea is to have both of them together.
Paying for education and other amenities is not the only thing a child needs. Your mother might not have paid your school fees. Are you sure she didn't contribute to your life? https://t.co/Yj6QsV8b1g
— Arun Bothra (@arunbothra) December 7, 2020
The gender coloumn didn't have a "third" Gender as an option as well. Make a noise and be heard by right people. Only that will generate any result. Totally support you, girl! https://t.co/gKuTcXNmx4
— Sneha Saloni (@Snehasaloni) December 8, 2020
Absence of column for "Mother" and "Wife" in various governmental and nongovernmental forms depicts how backward we are… https://t.co/IuQuKo9OGB
— Sathya S (@SathyaCommune) December 7, 2020
So, husband is considered a gaurdian but mother isn't! Let's talk about equality you guys. If you are a man, there is only one option of son of (s/o) but there are two when it comes to womxn i.e.daughter of (d/o) and wife of (w/o) https://t.co/6uJE77JM9a
— Sakshi Verma (@sakshiverma_20) December 7, 2020
Jokes apart..
Indian Govt systems need a reform to accept below two:
1. Single parent (either mother or father)
2. TransgenderA divorcee lady friend of mine struggled alot for her son’s documentation work when she returned from UK after his birth.
— सीma Sharma (@Cmasharma01) December 7, 2020
Which world do you live in? I paid not just for education of both my children but also my niece and nephews! There are umpteen number of mothers even in the lowest social strata because of whom their children get educated!!
— Amita Arya (@amita435) December 8, 2020
Long overdue! Take a bow 👏👏
Our societal model has failed to recognize contribution of these angels on earth who are keeping the fabric of life intact through their indefatigable efforts.
Sadly being a Mother is the most exhausting, unpaid and thankless job in the world.
— Japakusum (@Japakusum1) December 7, 2020
Me angrily filling out forms after being raised by a single mother in Pakistan where not naming the patriarch is equivalent to blasphemy, straight up not allowed 🙂🙂🙂 https://t.co/KlIG9eDROb
— masha gessen stan account (@KamikazeKarela) December 7, 2020
Social Inequality prevails inherently in our society and Govt. tries to continue this one..
Good initiative to Question individually. https://t.co/3JS0fkBnfQ
— Abhishek (@abhishek__030) December 7, 2020
Read the comments on this thread, there are so many about how this mediaeval mindset is justified because women don't have to pay alimony and because women don't buy property, these are both misconceptions that a simple Google search will help one get rid of.
Hate is lazy. https://t.co/yf4QJshn0s— Akshay (@sattu__paratha) December 7, 2020
Authorities should be more conscious while preparing such forms and aim towards being more inclusive and equal. Don’t you think?
Cover source: left.