Rama Balasubramanian Poet Imagism

Gender Inequality

Women are considered inferior to men
I experienced this when I was told by my
mother-in-law that you have to sit on ground
when a male is sitting up.
Males are superior. 
Give respect to all males

Obey your husband, do as he says
Ask permission, do if he permits
Husband is God, you should not call him with his name. 
You should eat after all male members have finished eating food
She herself followed all these rules.

I was shocked, felt women themselves are the
cause of gender inequality
Ending it lies in hands of women

I did as I was told. Tolerate it all.
Because although educated, I didn't have a house in my name
I didn't want to be a burden on my brother's who were married
I never told anyone.

Gender inequality still exists!

06.07.2021
For Kai Michael Neumann, once more I failed the truth

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Ann Foster July 10, 2021 at 7:33 AM You were surrounded... It is hard to stand up against those without empathy for the lesser of strength. That does not make them stronger... but weaker in the end. God bless you, and keep you close. You are strong, I hear it in your voice. You will teach your daughters... the truth... You are not alone... He is with you... and He matters... Ty for your kind comments... on my poems.. You are a wonderful poet as well... You shine... Ann

Jan Allison July 8, 2021 at 12:12 PM so sad that the gender inequality is still so evident in todays society bravo for speaking out Rama, hugs an xx

Andrea Dietrich July 7, 2021 at 11:56 AM very good one, Rama. All this time I thought you were a man becaue I did not know Rama was feminine name, but now I suppose you are a woman from reading this!! I just saw a show from India and I was shocked how women are portrayed in this movie. I think it's a cultural thing!! Even in USA women still are fighting for full equality. the movie was "Haseen Dillruba"

Bj Legros Kelley July 7, 2021 at 1:48 AM Rama, you did not fail. You are sharing your heart now, and standing so strong to share this incredible poem with us. I'm sorry your mother-in-law said these things to you.

Anisha Dutta July 6, 2021 at 9:34 PM From my very childhood, I was aware of Gennder Equity. I never tolerated discrimination. I have raised my voice for myself and other weak women. Have you any daughter? Yes or no, does not matter. Teach your next generation to be aware of Their fundamental rights.

Gershon Wolf July 6, 2021 at 7:33 PM I don't think that you failed. You were trained not to speak up either... Here in America we've seen too many women cross the fine line between feminity and male militancy. Many have become little better than preening men in women's bodies. Conversely, too many men have abandoned masculinity for a tepid, politically correct conformity to the rigid dictates of 'utter equality.' The whole thing's a pity. ~ Just sayin,' Gershon

Sotto Poet July 6, 2021 at 4:48 PM Indeed; felt women themselves are the cause of gender inequality. submission of women to men is from the past, Rama, but you did great in exposing this subject exceptionally here; best luck in the contest

Krish Radhakrishna July 6, 2021 at 10:27 AM Good one. True. I have seen this for years! Western world is different! Women are treated with great respect. The land of Sita has made modern Sita a slave!

Supraja Kannan July 6, 2021 at 8:26 AM That's so true... It happened to my mom too... Even now my mom shares those scary stories that happened during her beginning days of marriage... Nice and unique theme for the contest... Reads like a winner...

Unseeking Seeker July 6, 2021 at 8:12 AM Many homes in India at least, still follow this primitive, retarded, sexist mindset. We each must choose whether we want to live an authentic life or not. Quite often, economic constraints dictate path of compromise, of consciousness contraction