If we were to talk about the things that are normalized in Indian society which shouldn’t have been in the first place, the list would be an extensive one. If we were to name a few, gender-based discrimination, deeply ingrained in our society, continues to normalize unequal treatment. Despite legal strides, the caste system remains pervasive. There is of course colourism which perpetuates bias based on skin tone. Additionally, the normalization of child labour, though legally prohibited, lingers in certain pockets of our country.
However, there are more to the list which are perhaps more subtle and don’t meet the eye instantly. And people online on Reddit have been talking about it under the subreddit r/AskIndia. A user asked, “What’s the one thing that is normalized so much but shouldn’t have been?”
Some of the answers highlight how we see these problematic things almost every day but rarely do we realise that it’s not healthy. Here’s a look at some of the answers:
Giving academics the utmost importance.
Making teenagers choose a distinct career path. They are just too young.
The lack of public toilets.
Lack of personal boundaries within families.
Taking pictures and videos of random people on the street without their permission.
Commercialisation of education and healthcare.
Crimes against men.
Hitting children to “discipline” them.
Abuse in the name of mothers and sisters.
Hookup culture and cheating in relationships.
Having kids for purely selfish reasons.
Online bullying and harassment.
Working 40 hours a week.
Girls and women being encouraged less to pursue sports.
Putting pressure on students to take some of the most competitive examinations in the country.
As citizens, it is imperative to challenge these normalized practices and work for a more equitable and progressive society. Don’t you think?