For generations, women's life revolved around marriage. All kinds of messaging and training led them to feel that they should strive to become spouses, mothers, and domestic caregivers. Whether via divorce, widowhood, or choice, those who have been unmarried are nonetheless viewed with mistrust, pity, or even societal isolation. However, things are evolving.
In 2011, 71.4 million indian women were unmarried, accounting for 12% of the nation's total female population, according to census data. Compared to 2001, the data indicates a 39% rise. Today's women are choosing freedom on their own terms by removing the traditional constraints. They are redefining what it means to be single, which is not a life of loneliness and sadness as has been shown or perpetuated by indian culture over the years. Many people are now able to defy outmoded conventions and rules thanks to their education, financial freedom, and evolving goals.
But there are still difficulties. In a society that is based on conventional family structures, single women still face obstacles including social stigma, housing discrimination, a lack of institutional assistance, and a lack of legal rights. India Herald conducted interviews with women of all ages and backgrounds to gain insight into the experiences of indian unmarried women.
The Role of Upbringing and Early Conditioning
Many women attribute their desire to be single to their upbringing and early exposure to strong, self-reliant women. Graphic artist Sangeeta Das remembers how her grandmother's lifestyle influenced her outlook on life. "I was the firstborn in my family, and my parents were always very particular about focusing on my career," she adds. "I observed my grandmother, who became a widow at the age of 24 during Partition, as she worked to raise two children. Despite being a housewife, my mother was driven to work and support herself. That had a big impact on me.
Between the ages of 18 and 30, Sangeeta dedicated ten years to her job while enjoying her independence and single status. "I travelled, explored, trekked, and did things I knew I wouldn't have been able to do if I had married early," she recounts.
At 30, however, she started thinking about getting married. "All my friends were married with children, and I thought maybe now was the right time." She married at the age of 35 after searching for a companion for five years. However, after five years of marriage, they separated due to a significant divergence in their future plans—her desire to have children and his hesitation.
Discrimination Based on Singlehood and Social Stigma
Discrimination based on being single is one of the main issues that single women face on a daily basis.
Journalist and single mother Pallabi Chatterjee describes how she was turned down by landlords on several occasions due of her position.
"We cannot rent out a flat to a single woman with a daughter," among other sexist and unwelcome remarks I encountered. "I'm not sure what sort of men you'll be hosting!" and "Where's your husband? "How are you going to handle your child by yourself?" she remembered hearing.
The ruling affects society as a whole, not just landlords and sellers.
This lack of acceptability is institutional as well as social, Shreemoyee emphasized. "Single women receive very little assistance from the government in the form of pensions, tax cuts, or health benefits. Renting a home is challenging, and simply being a member of society entails enduring intrusive scrutiny of your private life," she continued.
Single women are frequently the targets of verbal abuse and gossip, ranging from invasive inquiries about their moral character to baseless conjecture about their private life. "My parents, family, and friends continue to make disparaging comments. "I've heard very direct taunts about me sleeping around in front of my child," Pallabi says.
Unjustified stereotyping, particularly of a sexual nature, is also widespread, she continued. "Explicit remarks and needless, unwanted sexual innuendos are frequent. Men often describe you as MILF, regardless of what you desire.
In 2011, 71.4 million indian women were unmarried, accounting for 12% of the nation's total female population, according to census data. Compared to 2001, the data indicates a 39% rise. Today's women are choosing freedom on their own terms by removing the traditional constraints. They are redefining what it means to be single, which is not a life of loneliness and sadness as has been shown or perpetuated by indian culture over the years. Many people are now able to defy outmoded conventions and rules thanks to their education, financial freedom, and evolving goals.
But there are still difficulties. In a society that is based on conventional family structures, single women still face obstacles including social stigma, housing discrimination, a lack of institutional assistance, and a lack of legal rights. India Herald conducted interviews with women of all ages and backgrounds to gain insight into the experiences of indian unmarried women.
The Role of Upbringing and Early Conditioning
Many women attribute their desire to be single to their upbringing and early exposure to strong, self-reliant women. Graphic artist Sangeeta Das remembers how her grandmother's lifestyle influenced her outlook on life. "I was the firstborn in my family, and my parents were always very particular about focusing on my career," she adds. "I observed my grandmother, who became a widow at the age of 24 during Partition, as she worked to raise two children. Despite being a housewife, my mother was driven to work and support herself. That had a big impact on me.
Between the ages of 18 and 30, Sangeeta dedicated ten years to her job while enjoying her independence and single status. "I travelled, explored, trekked, and did things I knew I wouldn't have been able to do if I had married early," she recounts.
At 30, however, she started thinking about getting married. "All my friends were married with children, and I thought maybe now was the right time." She married at the age of 35 after searching for a companion for five years. However, after five years of marriage, they separated due to a significant divergence in their future plans—her desire to have children and his hesitation.
Discrimination Based on Singlehood and Social Stigma
Discrimination based on being single is one of the main issues that single women face on a daily basis.
Journalist and single mother Pallabi Chatterjee describes how she was turned down by landlords on several occasions due of her position.
"We cannot rent out a flat to a single woman with a daughter," among other sexist and unwelcome remarks I encountered. "I'm not sure what sort of men you'll be hosting!" and "Where's your husband? "How are you going to handle your child by yourself?" she remembered hearing.
The ruling affects society as a whole, not just landlords and sellers.
This lack of acceptability is institutional as well as social, Shreemoyee emphasized. "Single women receive very little assistance from the government in the form of pensions, tax cuts, or health benefits. Renting a home is challenging, and simply being a member of society entails enduring intrusive scrutiny of your private life," she continued.
Single women are frequently the targets of verbal abuse and gossip, ranging from invasive inquiries about their moral character to baseless conjecture about their private life. "My parents, family, and friends continue to make disparaging comments. "I've heard very direct taunts about me sleeping around in front of my child," Pallabi says.
Unjustified stereotyping, particularly of a sexual nature, is also widespread, she continued. "Explicit remarks and needless, unwanted sexual innuendos are frequent. Men often describe you as MILF, regardless of what you desire.
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