The Dilemma of Modern Women
The Dilemma of Modern Women By Bisma Ijaz Can ignore it, but can’t deny that succeeding the epoch is for women In the rapidly evolving age of the 21st century, women have made significant marks in the professional world. They endear every distinct landscape, breaking traditional stereotypes, and thriving firmly towards progression. No such sector is left on this planet where women are not defining their capabilities. The bar of being “inferior” that has been put in the path of leadership for women for ages, has been snatched down from them, and now they are striding towards leadership roles deliberately. However, today, the modern workforce has heavy demands due to the ongoing economic crisis, and women are facing distinct work-life challenges of balancing personal responsibilities and professional objectives. Although women are an integral part of every workspace, they still have to work hard and commit more than men to prove their worth in professional areas. There is a huge gender pay gap for women. They are not paid as much as men despite working as equally as men. To prove to be worthy, women do more work and show dedication than men to make their names. It’s not about there being no opportunities for women. However, it’s the unrealistic expectation of being extraordinary than men and still being paid less to reach leadership roles and to be accepted as ‘successful” just like men. In parallel, to be considered a “complete and good woman” they have to be extra-special in their personal life along with professional life. While men can easily get away from these “work-life balance” phenomenon, despite women are equally working as they are. It’s like a two-edged sword for them. Women are expected to have everything to be something. This discrimination in expectations is overburdening women. On raising the question of these “impractical demands”, instead of giving consideration, women are being questioned for involving themselves in this race. Women have always been oppressed by men specifically due to financial dependence on them for survival. This idea of being the breadwinner has always been used by men as an excuse for a man to be superior. A man works for certain hours while being a homemaker, and a woman has to work for 24 hours without any help or pay. This thought of being a breadwinner gives men the power of decisions. He makes every decision of what a woman should do and what she shouldn’t do while doing everything that has been called ‘wrong’ by himself. It’s not the debate of right and wrong too, it’s about the right to decide for yourself. Women have been deprived of the basic right to make decisions for themselves, as they are financially looked up to by men for survival. Due to this dependency, they have to bear their abuse, violence, and orders. So, to get free from this oppression, women needed to come out and take a stand for themselves. Women have been stuck in the debate about whether should have ambition or not. If a man is passionate and goal-orientated, and a woman questions him about his aims, the answer is “You don’t know anything about the world, you don’t even have any purpose, so just focus on kids.” In parallel, if a woman is diligent towards her dreams and wants to achieve them, she is considered to act like a man as he is claiming it as having a purpose that was only meant for men. As Simone de Beauvoir said, “Man is defined as a human being and woman as a female – whenever she behaves as a human being, she is said to imitate the male. This notion of having a purpose has always been discussed in human evolution. It is your certain perspective of making your life meaningful. The essence of human curiosity makes them imagine dreams and mind-boggling ideas. Men have specifically emphasized its importance. For centuries, we have seen them doing something ‘unusual’ to make their life purposeful. On the contrary, women have spent their lives as supporters and helper in making their kingdom. Their very right to have their own will to live just got lost in the so-called men’s world. That’s why history is blank of extraordinary women, as they have been deprived of opportunities for so long. But as humanity has evolved, oppression has also evolved. Women have always expected to be selfless to be considered ‘great’ in the eyes of history while men have been considered ‘great’ for destroying everything to achieve their dreams. In the world especially in the eastern side, we have seen women are now expected to do both things at a time while men are still free from home responsibilities. Women are still expected to make meals, do laundry, and other house chores while working outside of the home. They must take care of their family and kids. Even though a man is equally (widely he is one) responsible for bringing a child into the world, a woman is expected to do everything for the kid while balancing work and personal life like a superhuman. Having no support from men, society, and family, women are overly loaded with excessive hopes and demands to prove their worth. They are expected to be caretaker for their family even if their personal needs get ignored. The perception of selflessness is only imposed on women to be great. A woman who puts others first over her needs is considered to be a good woman, and if a woman rebels against this belief, she is considered to be disobedient and rude. Unless she asks for her basic human rights, she will be adored by everyone. And the minute she raises a voice and challenges an opinion, she gets marginalized by society and called out to be too loud and bossy. While if a man blatantly does any action, no one utters a question against him. Women are also judged more by their measure of beauty than men and are expected to


