Comments on: Women in Sikhism: Gender Inequality?

By: Amrita Gill

Amrita Gill — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:47:57 +0000

I agree with this article. I believe many men and women are treated differenly. But I believe its not only Sikhs there are other religions and individuals who treat men and women differently as well. I believe it becomes extremely difficult for some children more often females to understand their parents views and meet with them especially if they live abroad. Growing up many girls living abroad want to be equal and the same just like the girls they grow up with who r of different cultures. They want to do the same stuff their peers do. For instance in many families where the male is more dominate does not get questioned as much as the female does in regards to going out with friends. Also, the male tends to get away with more stuff then females do and families take the side of males. Not only this but girls are taught to do housework since it is necessary for their marriage. I do not agree with this. I believe both men and women should pitch in with household duties and not leave women to 100% of everything. I also believe that many parents are so strung up on marriage that they tie their entire life around it. Girls are said to be the respect of the house so they tend to let their girls go out less while boys can roam around, lie and do everything they want. I have also tested this myself I have tried speaking up and acting like my brother….he tends to get away with this rude behaviour and right when I do..I do not get away. Also if a girl wants to be a succesful/independent and do something on her own they do not let her. Girls living abroad do not understand why and life can become difficult. Since these girls are stuck in the middle…they have half the values of their parent’s country and half of the values of the country they grew up in. In Countries such as England, Canada, and USA ppl are treated the same and are taught to treat eachother equal. But some individuals families do not teach them this. Many men are treated better than women. I believe a change should come fourth somehow…even thogh many families are changing I believe more need to. Even in religions it is said everyone should be equal. We are all humans and should be treated like humans and not have labels. I know women can not be exactly like men but change in some areas such as favoritism of males over women should not occur. Also women should be able to freely express their thoughts being able to have a voice in situations.

By: Sharan

Sharan — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:26:31 +0000

Gurumustuk, you write well, it’s nice to know there are people who think like me.
I was in Punjab recently and while I was visiting a very famous temple, I spoke to a couple of the sewadaar’s about the absence of women in the kirtan, one of them replied that ‘women should stay at home and do what they are born to do, sewa of the family.
I was shocked, even though in the past I was questioning why Sikh women are not given the same respect as Sikh men I never thought that Sikh men are the cause of it.
Female infanticide, Dowry, abuse, are all problems linked to women.
Even though the problem starts at home, where women are not involved in decision making, where a woman has no right to speak up, or have an opinion, on a larger scale it starts with the leaders of Sikh religion who themselves are not following what Sikhism stands for.
A Gurdwara is a place of worship for the sangat, yet the sangat has no voice, How many Sikh women have the same status as a Sikh man? How many Sikh women are the presidents of a Gurdwara? How many women do we see speaking about Sikhism on T.v or radio? How many Sikh women do you see become committee members, and if they do how many actually have a voice.
This is an issue, Sikh women need to be equal to men not because they are better but because they work just as hard, and because thats what Sikhism is about, equality for all.
Women need to stand up for themselves and men need to back them to give them the right to be equal.
Today If we ignore the fact that Sikh women can’t take part in certain sevas because they are “reserved” for only men, then the future doesn’t look to bright for Sikh women.
we need to ask questions to get answers, it starts with all of us, we must do our share.

By: Anupreet Kaur

Anupreet Kaur — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:00:06 +0000

whos thinking?! lol

By: Balsharan Grewal

Balsharan Grewal — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:58:42 +0000

Sat shri akal JI. i am totally inspired ur thinking.

By: kuldeep

kuldeep — Wed, 21 May 2008 02:51:29 +0000

You’ll be o.k.. Don’t worry..Life is great. Enjoy the ride!

By: Anupreet Kaur

Anupreet Kaur — Tue, 20 May 2008 13:29:12 +0000

Wow

I really enjoyed reading that, thanks =D I’ll take it into account. Haha. experience is deffinately one thing im lacking…severely!

But hey, thats why us lil pepople look to others for guidence.

Thankyouji !

Wjkk Wjkf

By: kuldeep

kuldeep — Tue, 20 May 2008 06:53:30 +0000

From your comments, I can see you are still quite young..experience is quite a teacher. While Gurbani holds answers to most of our problems..the wisdom gained from experience and obseravtion also has validity..Remember, our guru has said..’Hum jagat tamasha dekhan aayoh..’(quotation may not be correctly quoted)..Remember, this is a play..do not get attached to it..We have to shed our egos, anger, attachment, pride,lust,etc..Become an observer of life..it will teach u many things..

Re 50% partnership in a marriage. A marriage is not about percentages..its about partnering each other and helping each other to meet God..sole function of our lifes. My husband and i do not have a 50% equal partnership..there are times/situations when he is dominant and others where I am..it depends on what skills we bring to a marriage e.g. I am a thinker, great organiser, coordinator, etc..My husband is quite tunnel-visioned but whatever he does he does well..I have a global perspective of things..so I can master a lot of things but superficially..He can master a few things but in depth. We needed both perspectives in our marriage. He was good in his one job..I was able to manage my family, household and job requirements well to a certain extent. i cant do what he is good at and he just cannot see the global picture of issues..so if I wanted him to be equally involved (50%) he would have failed miserably as i would have too if I had to focus on one thing absolutely ( I just couldn’t). He has a great determination to see anything through despite his limitations. i would give up easily if I found things too hard.. and so on.. In a marriage we have to look at each others’ strengths and weaknesses and work with them. This takes great patience and understanding. There are times when both sides are exasperated because the other is not seeing the point or not doing what the other is doing but its really not possible for them..That is why understanding is an important ingredient. As long as both partners are pulling in the same direction..ie their fundamentals are the same..then these differences or apportioning the relationship becomes irrelevant. If u think in percentages about a relationship its not a relationship at all..

I do have to add this and I am sure I am going to make a lot of people angry..but I will do it anyway.. I do believe this is the age of the mouth..People say too much/think too much…If only people would observe, listen, understand, their lives would be much better..Women’s normal /natural intuition has been jeopardised with the development of their thinking powers/education. Feel more/listen more/intuit more..its a great journey and u will meet God in the end..because gurbani says..jin prem kio tin hi prabh payoh..’ With love there are no percentages..no equal partnership..you sublimate to the God within each soul..and then your duty becomes to serve the person with the God within..!! not argue about percenatges..Au revoir..Please accept my apologies if I have offended anyone..

By: Anupreet Kaur

Anupreet Kaur — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:58:39 +0000

thanks for replying!

Apologies penji for being blunt.
Is there any Gurbani that supports your side of the argument?

Its an odd subject, but its not about bra burning or screaming for attention, women should claim their place in the home etc…….

but its not about winning, its about being able to equate with your male counterpart when necessary. Its just odd thats all! i fail to understand it! Why because you’re a woman should you not feel free to act as 50% in a relationship….or be able to argue you’re own case?

Guruji blessed women with mouths…if he did not want us to speak…we would not have them.. ; )

im not a crazy femminist or a very argumentative child .. im just trying to figure out my place!

Thanks for reading, feel free to comment and critisize

Much appreciated

Waheguruji Ka Khala Waheguruji Ki Fateh

By: kuldeep

kuldeep — Mon, 19 May 2008 09:18:17 +0000

What really makes a woman strong is the power she wields behind the throne so to speak..Any bra-burning woman is not strong..She wants to be seen and heard..she is not heard at home..The real power lies in the woman who, though quiet and subdued wields the real power in Sikh homes, it appears as if the woman is subjugated..but it is not so..the woman knows what is important for the family to flourish..Men in their early years..if they are the bread winners appear to be strong..but the real strong woman decides that the family unit is important and gives the floor so to speak to the man..but concentrates on her family and house..but not for a moment is she down trodden..she appears to be but is not…. Its like retreating before the real attack.. when she rises like the at the right moment to claim her place..after fulfilling her duties to family…

Having said that there are women downtrodden..but they are few..Any woman can rise from the ashes so to speak , if she wishes to..!Most women who value the family and children decide that her priorities are not herself (sacrifice is an important ingredient in the strength of the woman..and Sikhism )but her family..husband and children..The woman who wants to win on any issue is not strong..The woman who knows when to give in is the wise woman and there lies her strength..There is a great difference between the west and eastern concept of strengthequality in a woman..So lets not start judging when we have no experience of or understanding of different cultural perspectives of women..!

By: Anupreet Kaur

Anupreet Kaur — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:01:25 +0000

Just something to add:

I just wanted to know about your oppinions on culture and sikhi?

I thought that being a Sikh there shouldnt be any cultural influence, punjabi influence, the practice of dowry and gender favouretism I thought was a cultural issue in the Punjab, and as such has nothing to do with sikhi.

Also Lohri?!
I don’t really understand why we do Lohri? i understand its a Punjabi thing….but i really have no clue!
Appart from the Saag and Makki di rotti =D
thats always good hehe..

Please help clear my confusion!

Much appreciated

Anup Kaur