Misogyny in society

The 'Bois locker room' case underscores the deep-rooted misogyny among certain people. Ever since screenshots of the Instagram online chats among the group of South Delhi teens sharing photos of underage girls and making lewd comments have gone viral, it shows how the unchecked 'locker room' talk is a den for casual misogyny but can easily morph into something far more dangerous. The real problem isn't on social media, it's in our homes. Elite families are able to purchase for their children greater opportunities but this opens the doors to lives built on cash, not the self-respect that comes from their own homes. A few schools, on the other hand, both public and private, rarely devote the same resources to sports for girls that they do for boys; there are, almost no opportunities for collaborations across gender in arts and culture. Rampant sexism in schools is ignored. In everyday conversations, sexist remarks are treated casually, or just dismissed. Cinema and media glorify toxic masculinity. As children grow up, all of this is imbibed in them. The digital world has become the stage for acting out adulthood, through substance abuse and sexual violence. 'Bois locker room' incident is a reflection of a much larger societal problem. While these boys will have to inevitably face the consequences what we really need to focus on is challenging the culture that fosters male entitlement. At home and in schools, casual sexism needs to be called out and questioned. Communication between parents and children, teachers and students, on topics as sensitive as these, should be initiated and must be taken up with dignity. Adopting a no-tolerance policy, even a schoolboy passing an inappropriate comment about his female classmate should be questioned, educated and sensitized. Equality and respect for women can emerge only from a culture that genuinely values rights for all. And the conversations on which it will be built have to begin in our living rooms, with our kids, and then in school and society.

Kumar Roshan Dusad,

Mangaldai