Alright, let’s talk real talk: being a Pakistani woman and dealing with in-laws?
It’s like walking a tightrope over a sea of opinions and expectations.
Sometimes it’s all chai and laughter, but other times, it’s like juggling grenades.
Seriously, the pressure to fit into those traditional gender roles while keeping the peace?
It’s enough to give anyone a headache, or worse, mess with your mental health. Especially if you live in a country where no one will support you or your voice – where “you shall leave in a coffin” BS is more important than you own daughter’s life! How would a woman think about her mental health in a situation where she has no self love, no self respect and no one to hear her out. Thus the current dilemma of low self esteem and the urge to overlook your own health to satisfy others!
The typical setup:
A girl married into a huge joint family system – living with all the in-laws under the same roof!
I mean come on – do you realize that a newly married woman might have things to share and talk with her husband?
Even our beloved Prophet (PBUH&HF) did not keep his wives in the same house – think about it… think about how awkward it would be to be heard in your room because your sister is next door, or your brother’s kids are roaming around your room. These things are less thought of but girls are expected to live their life however they are kept. Absolutely wrong in my personal opinion. Men should have the guts to stand up for their own privacy if nothing else. You have married a woman, not a maid service who will look after you!
But hey, here’s the kicker: Pakistani women? We’re tough cookies.
Sure, we face hurdles, but we’ve got this uncanny ability to find our balance in many situations.
Either the girl gives up on her own self respect and just lives the way she is expected to…
or
She speaks up and stand for herself. She’s not afraid to speak up and say, “Hey, this is me, take it or leave it.”
Having a support squad is a big blessing—whether it’s your bestie or a therapist—it makes all the difference!
So don’t hesitate to reach out to someone to talk it out – trust me strangers can listen and do wonders that you would not imagine. Honestly, I feel strangers are better to talk with – at least you know the conversation will not get to your house 😉
So, here’s to us, navigating the in-law circus with style and keeping our mental health in check along the way.
More strength to you all out there, struggling to deal with the clowns 🙂
xoxo