BHUBANESWAR: The social construct of our nation teaches us that “Every woman needs a man.” Single women, after attaining a particular age, are generally looked down upon in our society. However, girls in the capital state that being single or married depends entirely on the individual.
On the eve of International Women’s Day, Orissa POST interacted with single women of the city to delve deeper into the subject.
Chitralekha Bhoi, a history teacher, said, “Many a times, my friends shove me at the sight of attractive men at the bar so as to prompt me to get into a relationship. However, I disagree with the fact that one needs to be married compulsorily.”
Content curator Sushree Swagatika said, “Series like ‘Sex and the City’ and ‘Four More Shots Please’ depict the fact that women can survive all adversities with a good support system. Earlier, women needed to marry for their survival as men were the only ones who earned. In this day and age, girls can provide for themselves. I travel regularly, follow my hobbies and work at an NGO. I would love to stay like this forever.”
PR Analyst Asambhava Shubha said, “I believe in single successful girls. Being happy has nothing to do marriage. It is a matter of choice. If a woman chooses to stay single and pursue her wishes, there is nothing wrong with it.”
Classical dancer Sraddha Nag said, “I am a doctorate and classical dancer. Apart from that, I am single. I don’t know whether I am happy. However, I am doing alright. I am not sure if I am successful. I do not think marriage is a solution to any of the problems we face. In my opinion, single women are autonomous entities. And so are single men.”
Social activist Bijaya Biswal said, “By social standards, marriage is not limited to being a relationship. It is an institution based on traditional, religious and patriarchal values. While the mass media culture has normalised the stereotype of men being a victim of marriages because of the encroachment of their sexual freedom, it’s actually women who are subjugated and deprived from their freedom. Relationships matter in our lives, but relationships were never synonymous with institutionalisation. Women should strive to be independent.”
Arindam Ganguly, OP