Muted Group Theory
When Professor Saumya Pant set us this assignment she told us that we could choose any topic at all that she has touched upon in class and we have to note our response to it. It does not need to be a theory only. I read the theories and had initially thought that I would like to comment on how men are forced to conform to certain stereotypes and at times have to bottle up their emotions to ensure they are accepted by the people around them. However, 2 days before the submission date, I was casually browsing the internet when I came across the below advertisement. It caught my attention, forcing me research and reflect on it thus completely changing my topic.
The ad for a jewellery brand shows high carat diamonds and other precious stones which along with the kind of clothes that the models are wearing and the usage of English language shows that it is aimed at affluent and educated families. The ad shows the woman echoing the thought that
‘I did not choose my husband but I can choose my jewellery’.
This to me dispels the notion that some of us have, which is that only certain rural and ‘backward’ classes actually have limitations put on their freedom of choice. That educated people in urban areas have the luxury of being able to make the decision of the magnitude of choosing one’s life partner. Yes, it is a luxury. No, even many of the financially rich cannot afford it at times.
In my experience this luxury has little to do with finances. In fact most of the financially well-off families that I know or have heard off, have more restrictions than those that belong to middle class ‘service’ families. Most of my friends that come from high income ‘business’ families have been conditioned to do whatever they want in life, they have the best of facilities and freedom to do whatever they want, Except choose a life partner belonging to a significantly different economic background than themselves. For some of them even the person is chosen by the parents, not on
The ad for a jewellery brand shows high carat diamonds and other precious stones which along with the kind of clothes that the models are wearing and the usage of English language shows that it is aimed at affluent and educated families. The ad shows the woman echoing the thought that
‘I did not choose my husband but I can choose my jewellery’.
This to me dispels the notion that some of us have, which is that only certain rural and ‘backward’ classes actually have limitations put on their freedom of choice. That educated people in urban areas have the luxury of being able to make the decision of the magnitude of choosing one’s life partner. Yes, it is a luxury. No, even many of the financially rich cannot afford it at times.
In my experience this luxury has little to do with finances. In fact most of the financially well-off families that I know or have heard off, have more restrictions than those that belong to middle class ‘service’ families. Most of my friends that come from high income ‘business’ families have been conditioned to do whatever they want in life, they have the best of facilities and freedom to do whatever they want, Except choose a life partner belonging to a significantly different economic background than themselves. For some of them even the person is chosen by the parents, not on