The life of an Indian girl after marriage is a complex and nuanced experience that’s deeply shaped by cultural, social, and familial expectations. For many young women, marriage represents a major milestone and a significant turning point in their lives, and one that comes with a host of new responsibilities and expectations. In many parts of India, women are taught from a young age that their primary role in life is to be good wives and mothers, and this ethos is reinforced after marriage in a number of ways. From giving up financial contributions to their family of origin to changing the way they dress and even the way they spend their weekends, women who marry in India face a host of challenges and trade-offs that can make the transition to married life difficult and complicated.
What Are the Expectations of Indian Girls for Marriage?
In India, marriage is considered a sacred institution that holds a lot of significance in the lives of people. In particular, Indian girls have a set of expectations from their future husbands and in-laws that they consider essential for a successful and happy marriage.
They believe that a successful marriage involves not only the bride and groom but their respective families as well. Hence, they wish for spouses who’d respect their parents and treat them with love and dignity.
Indian girls today are also looking for a husband who’s an open attitude towards children, without any gender bias. They expect a partner who’d treat both sons and daughters equally and not hold any biases towards a particular gender. With women making strides in every field of life, they expect their husbands to be supportive of their ambitions, and willing to share parenting responsibilities equally.
With changing times, Indian girls are now more vocal about their reproductive choices and family planning. They expect their partners to discuss such matters with them, and they should respect their wishes.
Due to the rapid economic growth and the rise in education levels in India, Indian girls want a partner who’s well-educated, career-oriented, and financially stable. They desire a partner who they can look up to, with whom they can build a secure, happy and prosperous life.
They look for a partner who’d respect their family, share parenting responsibilities, co-create a family, and together build a happy and prosperous life.
It’s no secret that every relationship is different, and what works for one couple may not work for another. However, a common desire that many Indian wives share is for their husbands to prioritize their relationship over other aspects of their life. In this article, we explore the non-materialistic things that Indian women often want from their husbands, including spending more time at home and giving their wives more attention.
What Do Indian Wives Want From Their Husbands?
Indian wives also want their husbands to communicate with them more openly and honestly. When a husband is faced with a difficult situation or problem, his wife wants him to talk about it with her so that they can work together to find a solution. By doing so, the wife feels a sense of partnership and importance in her husbands life.
This includes respecting her opinions, values, and beliefs. It’s important for a husband to support his wifes choices and to avoid making her feel inferior or unimportant. When a husband shows respect to his wife, he’s also modeling positive behavior for any children they may have.
Physical and emotional intimacy is also important to Indian wives. They don’t want their husbands to overlook the importance of physical touch, romance, and emotional connection. A simple kiss or hug can go a long way in making a wife feel loved and appreciated. Additionally, unplanned romantic gestures can make her feel cherished and valued.
While traditional gender roles may have been prevalent in the past, modern Indian women want their husbands to take an active role in cooking, cleaning, and other household tasks. This helps to create a sense of teamwork and shared responsibility in the home.
Whether it’s pursuing a new career or taking up a hobby, a wife wants to know that her husband is there to cheer her on and help her achieve her dreams. When a husband provides this kind of unconditional support, his wife feels valued, loved, and empowered.
Source: What do Indian girls wish for in their husbands?..
It’s important to understand the cultural expectations and roles that come with being an Indian wife. These traditional gender roles have been passed down from generations and are still present in many households today. However, it’s also important to acknowledge that these expectations aren’t universal and may vary from family to family.
What Is Expected of an Indian Wife?
Additionally, she’s expected to be respectful to her husband and his family members, and never question his authority. The husband’s happiness is top priority and the wife is expected to do everything in her power to make sure that happens.
An Indian wife is also expected to maintain a certain level of modesty and humility, dressing conservatively and avoiding any actions that could be perceived as flirtatious or promiscuous. She’s also expected to never confront her husband about his infidelities or other inappropriate behavior, as this would be considered disrespectful and could damage the family’s reputation.
It’s also common for Indian wives to be responsible for managing the household finances, including budgeting and bill-paying. They’re often expected to be thrifty and resourceful, finding ways to keep expenses low while still meeting the family’s needs.
In addition to taking care of the home and family, Indian wives are often encouraged to pursue their own interests and hobbies. However, these activities shouldn’t interfere with their responsibilities as a wife and mother. Any accomplishments achieved outside of the home should be viewed as a bonus, rather than a primary focus.
While the legal age of marriage for women in India is set at 18, there are some exceptions for certain communities such as Muslims. In this case, puberty is considered the indicator for marriage and may allow for earlier marriage contracts. It’s important to understand these regional and cultural differences when discussing marriage laws in India.
Was 18 a Legal Marriage Age in India?
In the past, the legal age for marriage in India depended largely on the community to which the couple belonged. Most Hindu laws at the time prescribed a minimum age of 18 for boys and 16 for girls, but there were no such restrictions in place for other communities.
While this law was designed to reduce child marriage, there are still many regions in India where it’s practiced, and legal and social enforcement of the age limit can be lax.
Fortunately, there have been recent efforts to increase awareness of the harms of early marriage in India, and to provide women and girls with education and resources to prevent early marriage and promote their own autonomy. This includes programs that work with families and communities to help break down harmful cultural norms and promote girls” education and health.
The Impact of Child Marriage on Girls’ Health, Education, and Future Prospects
- Child marriage can result in early pregnancy, which can lead to complications during childbirth, such as fistula, premature birth, and even death for both the mother and child.
- Married girls often drop out of school, which limits their ability to access education and job opportunities in the future.
- Child brides may experience domestic violence, sexual abuse, and exploitation by their husbands.
- Child marriage perpetuates the cycle of poverty, as girls who marry early are less likely to contribute to the economy or earn a sustainable income.
- Ending child marriage is crucial for achieving gender equality and empowering girls and women to reach their full potential.
This may seem like a cultural expectation, but the pressure to get married in India is real and can be overwhelming for many women. The decision to get married should ultimately be a personal one, based on individual goals and aspirations rather than societal norms. In this article, we will explore the various factors that influence when an Indian woman should get married.
When Should an Indian Girl Get Married?
This belief that a woman should get married early is deep-rooted in Indian culture. For centuries, Indian society has conditioned their women to believe that their primary purpose in life is to get married, reproduce and take care of the household chores. This has been the norm that’s been followed by generations. However, this has also led to numerous problems. Many women who aren’t ready for marriage end up getting married only to conform to societal norms, leading to frustration and depression. Therefore, it’s imperative to understand that marriage should be a personal choice and not forced upon anyone.
In contemporary times, the age for getting married has been pushed further to accommodate a womans educational and career aspirations. Women are now given opportunities to pursue their dreams and are encouraged to delay marriage until they’re ready. However, while this is a positive step, there still exists a certain amount of societal pressure to get married early. Women who aren’t married by the age of 30 are considered to be past their prime and are looked at with sympathy instead of admiration.
It’s important to note that marriage is a lifelong commitment that requires careful consideration and planning. Rushing into marriage without being mentally and emotionally prepared can lead to disastrous consequences. Hence, it’s important to wait until the right moment arrives to get married. The right moment could be any time when you feel that you’re ready to take on the responsibilities that come with marriage.
Furthermore, it’s also important to choose the right partner. Marrying someone who isn’t compatible with you can lead to many difficulties in your life. Hence, it’s important to take your time to know your prospective partner well before saying “I do.”. It’s also important to understand that it’s okay to walk away from a relationship that isn’t working out, no matter how long you’ve been together.
Pros and Cons of Arranged Marriages in India and Their Impact on Women.
- Pro: Arranged marriages are often seen as a traditional, cultural practice in India that can bring families together.
- Con: Women may be coerced into arranged marriages against their own desires, leading to a lack of autonomy and potential abuse.
- Pro: Arranged marriages can provide financial and social security for women, as their husband and his family take on responsibility for their wellbeing.
- Con: Women may be forced to conform to strict gender roles and expectations within their marital and familial relationships.
- Pro: Arranged marriages often involve the input and approval of both families, which can lead to a stronger sense of community and familial support.
- Con: Women may experience limitations on their education and career opportunities as they’re expected to prioritize their roles as wives and mothers.
- Pro: Arranged marriages can lead to long-lasting, successful relationships based on shared values and compatibility.
- Con: Women may face violence or emotional abuse within their arranged marriages, and may not have the support or resources to leave the relationship.
Conclusion
The social and cultural norms dictate that she needs to give up on her individuality and cater to the needs of her husband and in-laws. It isn’t just about changing her attire, but also her lifestyle and habits. This transition can be challenging, especially when it comes to leaving behind her parents and family. The limitations and restrictions that come with being a married woman can take away her freedom and affect her mental health. However, Indian women have always shown resilience and adaptability, and many have found ways to balance their traditional roles with modern aspirations.
