Equality Isn’t Equal: The Silent Pressure on Men in Indian Society

Equality Between Men and Women in India: A Silent Struggle of Expectations

This is where we stand today on the issue of equality between men and women in India. Why is it always said that women receive respect right from birth, while men are expected to earn respect as they grow older? This debate goes far beyond gender—it is about social pressure, emotional health, equality, self-worth, and mental well-being.

What Society Thinks About Men (Including My Family)

Recently, I completed my graduation, but I do not yet have a stable job with a good salary. I am a man. I have elder sisters who often taunt me for being jobless and imply that I cannot have a meaningful life without a steady income. On the other hand, just because they are women, they already have social respect and are seen as capable of living a complete life—whether or not they earn independently.

It is not that they lack stable incomes or are not living fulfilling lives. However, these remarks deeply affect my mental health and self-confidence. I usually remain silent because, somewhere, I have internalized this belief myself. I know they want me to succeed, grow, and achieve my career goals, but the pressure is overwhelming.

Since childhood, in Indian society (especially in Hindu families), boys and men are constantly taught to “get a life.” In contrast, women are often perceived as already having one. Here, “getting a life” means earning money, becoming financially independent, supporting family dreams, and sacrificing personal desires.

Expectations After Crossing Teenage Years in India

In India, once we cross our teenage years, society assumes we are fully mature and ready to shoulder responsibilities. For men, the expectations are clear: study hard, stay physically fit, earn money, suppress emotions, get married, and start a family. These rigid expectations create intense emotional pressure and anxiety.

It is often said that the syllabus and question paper of life are different for every individual, yet society expects the same results from all men. This lack of emotional understanding fuels stress, burnout, and self-doubt among young men.

For women, I cannot speak entirely from experience, but I am aware that they face their own struggles. Many women in India are forced into early marriage, pressured to have children, and denied personal choices. Indian actress Neha Dhupia summed it up perfectly: “It’s her choice.”

The Bollywood movie 3 Idiots delivers a powerful message about career pressure, parental expectations, and societal success metrics. It has been a year or two since I crossed my teenage years, and I constantly feel the weight of expectations from my parents, relatives, and loved ones.

Today, I avoid meeting relatives or answering questions—not out of disrespect, but because I am already battling career uncertainty, societal judgment, and internal pressure.