Burning Beauty (Research Paper)

To leave someone scarred for life is to silently torture someone once, but cause them to scream in pain forever. It is to shatter their confidence, leaving them traumatized, in such a devastating state that the damage is internal, external and eternal. They shall spend the rest of their life in this condition. Even if they recover from the shock, they will fail to put together the fragments of their confidence that was shattered with merely one jolt. One jolt that cannot only unnerve them but also shake their whole lives, and sometimes their whole existence. The term “domestic violence” is used to define a wide variety of aggressive or violent acts exhibited within the boundaries of a house. They are centered on two goals, to rage upon the other for personal satisfaction, or to present unacceptability towards a certain thing by exhibiting such attitude. To say any one of these causes is more common would be tough, for it requires in-depth analysis to make any such judgement. But it wouldn’t be wrong to say that out of all the forms this violence takes, including verbal, physical and sexual, there is one in particular which probably has the most devastating effects on the victim, acid attacks. This sort of violence against women cannot be limited by the definition of domestic violence, since many times the victim has no biological relationship with the abuser at all. But here acid attacks shall be discussed as a form of domestic violence only, and domestic violence will be characterized as violence exhibited by any member of the victim’s family, not only the spouse.

A splash of sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid or any other similar corrosive substance or chemical, on the victim’s face, body or both, is enough to change the victim’s entire life within a moment. The aim of the attack is to of course to either mar, torment or murder the victim. She rejected your proposal? She refused to indulge in an intimate relationship in accordance with your choice? How could she dare to do that? Well then if she can’t be your partner, she definitely doesn’t deserve to be anyone else’s. Burn her! That is precisely how one could sum up the thinking process of most of the attackers in the case of vitriol attacks. This is the type of violence women face both as part of, or outside the category of domestic violence, depending on their relationship with the abuser. In case of marriage proposals, the girl’s own family may be the one victimizing her through an acid attack, because they have been in support of the marriage she has refused. In case of reluctance to indulge in intimate relationships, her own husband may be the abuser, because his wife characterizes his behavior as marital rape, and refuses to be victimized in that sense. Gender inequality and low level of female empowerment is one of the main reasons these women are victimized so easily. These patriarchal societies do not believe women have the right to make choices for themselves.

Vitriolage is not an issue restricted within certain geographical boundaries. But it is true that despite the fact that acid attacks have been reported in numerous nations, South Asia and Africa account for two of the main regions, where the rate at which this crime is committed, has been reported to be higher in comparison to other regions. This is why organizations like ASTI have been working specifically in these areas. The Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI), a charity organization founded in 2002, aims to end vitriol attacks around the globe. It has been working with partner organizations in six different countries including, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Pakistan, Nepal, Uganda and India. It has also worked with UN agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations, for its cause. Clark, the former senior editor at the PLOS Medicine and the former assistant director at BMJ, in his article published in 2014 quotes, “The Acid Survivors Trust International estimates there are approximately 1,500 acid attacks a year globally. The Acid Survivors Foundation reported about 300 attacks per year in Bangladesh and declining, but in India, Cambodia, Pakistan, parts of Africa, the Middle East, and South America, they are understood to be increasing (Clark).” The staggering figures in these areas are self-explanatory. These patriarchal societies, which are far behind the world according to educational standards, have failed to acknowledge the rights of a woman. The lack of educational opportunities can be considered a reason for such animalistic behavior exhibited by the males in these regions, and the reluctance of women to stand up for themselves despite being constantly targeted.

Sometimes failure to abide by religious or cultural customs is also presented as an excuse by abusers to carry out such attacks. It would be wrong to say that the attacks are initiated by religious values, but it wouldn’t be wrong to say that many times the abuser attacks the victim because the victim refuses to comply with certain regulations. It is to be noted that even in such cases where the victim is guilty for not complying with religious rules, there is no religious evidence found in support of such an attack being carried out on the victim. The abuser may have issues with the victim’s beliefs, but is certainly not permitted by the religion to carry out a vitriol attack. In most cases, the reason is described as not obeying religious norms, but in the background those customs that the abuser expects the victim to abide by are more culturally rather than religiously initiated. In countries like Pakistan, the state government has based its law on religious values. Sexual activities out of wedlock are considered a sin, and a woman has a choice in marriage but cannot marry without the presence of her father, unless he has died or is not in the mental condition to make any decision. People often exploit these rules. In the first case, they falsely accuse women of characterlessness. Even in cases where the woman may be found to be guilty of having a sexual relationship despite being unmarried or having an extramarital relationship, this is not the prescribed method of punishment according to religious standards. In the second case, even though the religion itself asks for the bride-to-be’s consent, most of the families choose not to consult the bride-to-be in the decision about her marriage. This decision to not consult her has nothing to do with religious customs; rather it is solely dependent on man-made cultural customs. This act of not consulting the bride-to-be, can end up in the bride choosing to elope. But then again whatever the reason may be, the family chooses to punish the girl, in their own self-proclaimed ways. The country’s law defines honor killings as murder and thus prohibits them, which is why many resort to vitriolage too. Sometimes the acid used is so corrosive that even if the intention was to only cause damage to the victim, the damage ends up being so severe that the victim cannot survive.

Apart from these intentions, there are many others that instigate these attackers to victimize and terrorize women. Dowry, which traditionally was a form of a gift that the parents of the bride-to-be presented to their daughter and her future family, has now become sort of a compulsion for the bride’s family to pay to their daughter’s in-laws. In many cases, giving dowry is a condition for the marriage to take place, or giving it makes the girl more liable to get married. Insufficient or delayed payment of dowry is a main reason why many women become victims of domestic violence post-marriage. Acid throwing is one form of this violence. Swapna’s case below from Karnataka, India is just one example of such an occurrence.

Swapna, a bus driver’s eldest daughter, married her father’s co-worker at age 19. For dowry, Swapna and her family gave her husband Rs. 40,000 ($850 USD) and some gold, but her husband asked for more. Her parents were unable to fulfil the dowry demands. Swapna’s husband and mother-in-law began abusing Swapna, and on one occasion placed hot irons on the palms of her hands. One night, Swapna’s husband fed her sleeping pills, and after she fell asleep he poured acid on her. She was able to protect her face from the acid, but she suffered burns on her chest and stomach (Ertürk).”

Even though rape cannot be defined as a direct cause of acid attacks, in certain cases it may become one. In many rape cases the rapists choose to torture the victim even after sexually assaulting them. Acid attack is one of the torture techniques these abusers use. Rape as it is most commonly discussed is considered a part of non-domestic violence. To talk of rape as a cause of vitriol attacks where acid attacks are being discussed as a form of domestic violence, may not make sense to one initially, but it is important to note that rape can be characterized as domestic violence too. Land and property disputes are a reason for acid attacks too. But in the case of women it is highly uncommon that a case be reported for such a reason, since in these patriarchal societies most of the women are denied of their property rights. In some cases the cause of this horrendous behavior has also been explained as retaliation for the act of a girl going to school. Failure to obey the commands of a drunken husband is yet another example.

No matter what the reason, abuse itself cannot be justified, but in the case of acid attacks, undeniably highly unacceptable. It is an extreme form of abuse with effects that are not only highly devastating, but also majorly irreversible. The pain these victims go through when corrosive substances are spilled upon them is in itself an extreme form of torture that cannot be defined in words. The disfigured faces, burnt tissues, exposed and dissolved bones, explain for themselves that the act is above all forms of torture. Many of these women belong to households below the poverty line and cannot even afford the required treatment. Even if they can, no treatment can enable them to be the person they were before this incident, both physically and mentally. In many cases the damages are so severe that they can hamper bodily functions or even the seven senses. Blindness, breathing problems, deafness and inability to be able to communicate properly are amongst the many effects of acid attacks. Many victims cannot escape the trauma of what has happened. For others the trauma itself shatters their confidence to a level that they are not ready to face the outside world; additionally the medically treated but still majorly disfigured bodies cause them to fear the questionable looks that may fall upon them. For many the fear of being targeted or being victimized again also chases them, as in many cases the abuser is either not caught or is set free due to lack of evidence against him. The worst of these effects is the psychological depression they go through. Even though all victims of acid attacks face depression, at least to some extent, for some it’s way worse. This usually happens in cases where the victim is forced to live with the abuser again (if he is set free) or his family, due to the fact that many of these women are not independent enough to earn a living of their own. They are dependent on their family (in case of an unmarried girl her own family or in the case of a married woman her in-laws and husband). One of the worst effects of this whole matter is the deadly combination of depression and isolation. If the society doesn’t choose to completely abandon the victims, it chooses to slowly distance from them at a time when they are in need of care and attention. The victims end up in seclusion, and the trauma of what has happened to them already eats up what little confidence, they had to cope with the whole situation. This situation completely tarnishes any possibilities for the victim to be able to recover, or at least recover fast.

As mentioned before, organizations like ASTI are playing a key role in helping and aiding both the current victims of acid attacks and those that have been attacked before. They not only provide medical treatment but psychological help and shelter for the victims too. Namely organizations like Chhanv in India and social workers like Mussarat Misbah in Pakistan, have been working in order to assist these victims, help them recover from the shock, and also support them as they step into a new life by providing them job opportunities. The efforts of such organizations have indeed led to positive results in helping the survivors. The excerpt from an article published in gov.uk quotes the experience of one such survivor in Bangladesh, and how she has not only recovered from her trauma, but now is also helping to raise awareness about acid attacks. After being unable to receive the right treatment because of resource constraints at a government hospital, ASF came to Hasina’s rescue providing two months post-operative nursing care for free. Sadly her ordeal did not end there - even the best treatment couldn’t remove all trace of the acid attack. On returning home she discovered the social stigma of being disfigured. Once again she found support from ASF… Hasina’s interest in joining the legal unit of ASF as an intern helped her take back control of her life and seek justice. Hasina has participated in many awareness raising campaigns arranged by the ASF and these lobby efforts by the foundation have encouraged the Government of Bangladesh to introduce into law the District Acid Control Committees (DACC) and the National Acid Control Council (NACC). The NACC and DACC control acid crimes by mandating stringent punishment ranging from between three to 15 years imprisonment and a hefty fine, life imprisonment to a maximum statement of death penalty. The Bangladeshi social welfare department along with ASF is working together to address acid attacks and bring the number of incidents to a halt. (Department for International Development and DFID Bangladesh)

It is tough to say that the issue can be eradicated as a whole altogether, but with the support of such organizations and the government the issue can indeed be tackled, and the victims can receive support. Human Rights Organizations and NGO’s around the world are stressing upon the need for stronger legislation. Due to these efforts progress has already been made, “Lower House of Parliament in Pakistan unanimously passed the Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Bill On May 10, 2011. As punishment, according to the bill individuals held responsible for acid throwing face harsh fines and life in prison (Stop Acid Attacks).

As stated before, the fact that most of these cases occur in the rural areas where educational facilities are poor, and women empowerment scale is low, it is important that we concentrate on these factors too. It is important for us to educate both young boys and girls about the effects of acid throwing on the victim’s life. Awareness about these effects may not only lead to boys understanding that masculinity does not lie within overpowering women, but also will help girls learn how to protect themselves. Girls need to be educated to stand up for themselves. They need to understand that the more subservient one appears to be, the more people will try to trample you. It is important to teach girls that they are not anyone’s possession, and that they are not objects of pleasure, which do not have the power to refuse if they do not wish to be indulged in such activities. Dowry itself is a crime and it is important for girls to understand that they should not let themselves be victimized for not committing a crime. Girl’s need to be taught to be independent, so that if they face victimization they can stand up for their rights, rather than being bothered about being dependent on the abuser. They need to realize that as future mothers-to-be it is important that they teach their own sons to respect women too.

With such steps we cannot only both protect the victim, but also punish the abuser. The statistics of acid attacks are still quite alarming, and it is important that abundant and constant efforts are made in order to deal with this issue. The most basic step we can take is to understand the brutality of this act and spread awareness about it on a personal level too. It is important that we understand that a victim’s life doesn’t end after they are victimized. Just because we could not save them, it does not mean we do not help them further. The real challenge is to help these victims become successful survivors. It is time we understand our role as an individual in this process. A major part of the post attack trauma is the sort of treatment these victims receive from those around them. It is important that we understand the sensitivity of the situation, and deal with these victims accordingly. We cannot vow to change the entire matter overnight. But at least if we vow to make an effort intended to not let another woman face what Swapna faced, and facilitate every other victim like Hasina in their battle post the attack, we can bring about a positive change.

Works Cited

Clark, Jocalyn. “Acid Violence – A Most Horrific Form of Denigration of Women”. PLOSBlog.org. 22 April 2014 http://blogs.plos.org/speakingofmedicine/2014/04/22/acid-violence-horrific-form-denigration-women/. Accessed 11 October 2016

Department for International Development and DFID Bangladesh. “Case Study From Acid Victim To Activist: Hasina's Courageous Journey”. gov.uk. 22 March 2013. https://www.gov.uk/ government/case-studies/from-acid-victim-to-activist-hasinas-courageous-journey. Accessed 11 October 2016

Ertürk, Yakin. “Combating Acid Violence In Bangladesh, India, And Cambodia”. Avon Global Center for Women and Justice at Cornell Law School, the Committee on International Human Rights of the New York City Bar Association, the Cornell Law School International Human Rights Clinic, and the Virtue Foundation.http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cedaw/docs/cedaw_crc_contributions /AvonGlobalCenterforWomenandJustice.pdf. Accessed 11 October 2016

Stop Acid Attacks. “Reports”. stopacidattacks.org. 05 March 2013. http://www.stopacidattacks.org/ 2013/ 03/ reports.html. Accessed 11 October 2016

Just a 20 Year Old Muslim Girl

There is nothing more hilarious than a believer of another faith standing right in the face of a Muslim woman telling her that her religion promotes oppression of women and violence, when she's not oppressed and is isn't violent herself.
I'm a Muslim woman and I'm not oppressed, I'm standing right in front of you 7000+ miles away from my country. My parents didn't cage, and they're Muslims too.
I'm a Muslim woman and I'm definitely not violent. I didn't hurt you, while you definitely are hurting me with your judgemental approach.
I'm a Muslim woman and I don't do the Hijab. That is my choice and believe me I have great respect for the women who do it.
I don't deny somewhere around the globe women are forced to do the Hijab, forcing them is wrong. But forcing them is not a religious obligation, people do that by choice. That choice to force women is extreme, my religion never set oppression of women as a choice, it's an extreme step that people take by personal choice.
I'm a Muslim and I don't deny Muslims can't be wrong, but that doesn't mean my faith taught them to be so.
Meet a Muslim before you judge us.
Saudi Arabia is not a representative of my religion, in fact no country or no human being is.
We're all humans and we are vulnerable to commit sins or harm others, irrespective of our faiths.
My actions are my choices, not everything I do is dependent on my religious teachings and beliefs.
My religion forbids alcohol, do Muslims not drink?
Yes they do, they go against their religion.
Jihad is a holy war, only fought in severe circumstances for one's rights and against oppressive forces.
Stop using it as a tool to say my religion is violent.
"There is no compulsion in religion."
That is what my religion says about religious freedom, stop saying we will ever force you to convert to our religion.
It is my religious obligation to invite you, we are not allowed to force you.
To invite is to let you learn about my religion, if you wish to. It is not to force you to accept it.
If someone does, they are wrong.
ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Taliban — are not Islam.
They may claim to be Muslim but they are not Islam.
Before commenting on my religion, read what we believe. Read the Quran. And don't read one verse in isolation, read the book extensively. Anything viewed in isolation can have the most unjust interpretations.
You were nice to me as long as you didn't know my name, my name told you a Muslim and you let those unjust generalizations tell you I was a threat to you.
I'm just a 20 year old girl learning and exploring life. I have beliefs that may contradict yours, but I'll never enforce mine upon you.

Rethink 0010

"Lower your gaze and guard your modesty."
It goes for both men and women, no gender stated.
Stop using this rule only for women.
There's no point covering gold with a cloth & then placing it out to be robbed.
If you tell her to cover up, tell him to not eve tease.

Educational Conformity (Research Paper)

From the day the first man appeared on the surface of the earth to date, man has constantly been learning something. From the act of merely learning how to ignite fire to the most complex sort of education that is taught today, the concept of education has constantly evolved with how mankind has evolved itself. From relying on self-taught skills to now being admitted to a school as an essential part of life, our concept of what it means to learn has transformed so much that even the goal behind receiving education, is in reality very far from what it ever was. As it is often attributed to Sir Francis Bacon, a widely acclaimed English philosopher, jurist, orator, scientist and author of his time, “Knowledge is power”. It wouldn’t be wrong to say it is this recognition of knowledge that has caused the decision makers of nations worldwide to hamper its provision, in ways that secretly prevent this transfer of power to truly be effectual. Educational conformity is indeed a global issue which requires attention at a global level, if we wish this world to progress, flourish and thrive. Without educational conformity it is impossible for us to put an end to the forms of divide in our societies that only cause localized and limited progress.

These rulers have destined the fates of many, by simply constantly defining where precisely conformity was essential in the field of education. Using various reforms what they define as means of bringing uniformity in education, these people have fulfilled deeper motives aimed at incrementing the divide between the receivers of this education. In a world where greater understanding amongst people may have limited their chances of fulfilling these aims directly, such indirect methods have left people with the perception that these acts will benefit them ‘all’. Over the years based on these actions education itself has reached new heights, but in ways that have in reality all been a part of their manipulative tactics to fool the public into believing justice is being done for ‘all’.

Education as it is most commonly known today, is received beginning with the act of being admitted to school merely around the age of three or four. From here onwards begins an endless journey where each individual is crammed up with a great deal of information until he is finally capable of being called an adult, who can survive on his own in this world and make a living of his own. But here again the type and amount of education you receive is based on certain standards. Financial status of course has always been one of the biggest definers of this divide, and a determinant of which category you fall into. From the divide caused by affordability, and the perception of acquiring education being considered a privilege for the rich as a form of luxury, we moved onto a stage in history where it seemed as if education was only necessary for being able to earn a living. The world witnessed a new form of divide amongst them in the field of education. Unlike before where only limited number of people received education, here everyone did, but the amount and type of education they received was limited by new boundaries – need. Here the privileged class received education in institutions called schools, while for the underprivileged; vocational schools were formed only to teach them the skills essential for the types of jobs they could qualify for, based on their financial standards.

With time people began to recognize how education made a difference in their lives, the public was awakening from its deep sleep of ignorance. Beginning their campaign of the great need for conformity, these influentials posed educational conformity as a matter of great concern before the public. Here it certainly seemed as if the concerns of the public did most certainly matter to them. Where it was true that the matter did indeed require attention, these influentials brought in conformity in the institutions but in their own way. From here the world witnessed another form of divide where all children were taught the same material in their textbooks, but the products of this education (students) still varied due to other manipulative standards. Virtually education began to receive a form of conformity but deep inside there was always something else, as the famous critical thinker Jean Anyon describes it as “the hidden curriculum” (Anyon 178), on the basis of one of the vast amount of research projects conducted on education, by the professor of educational policy in the Graduate Centre of the City University of New York, Anyon herself. The pedagogy deferred to such an extent that the fact that everyone was fed the same sort of information about various subjects didn’t even matter anymore. The provision of education was ensured to be identical with the social status of those who received it. Children of blue collar families were taught through rote learning methods that made them highly obedient to instructions and commands. As the social status improved the kid was given chances to actually understand what he/she was being taught. The handful of elites were of course at the top of the list for this privilege, they were taught to even question the information that was being fed to them. It was as if the kids were being brought up in these particular classes to be mirror images of their parents, and nothing more. The elite were the decision makers in the society’s structure, and so it was vital for their kids to be taught to do the same. Their span of thinking ‘needed’ to be broadened, while that of the kids from the less fortunate classes were trained to be robots, and follow the instructions of their masters. “Deferring curricular, pedagogical and pupil evaluation practices emphasize different cognitive and behavioural skills in each social setting and thus contribute to the development of certain potential relationships to physical and symbolic capital (Anyon 178).” These words by Anyon based on her close observation of five different elementary schools for almost a year, comprehensively sum up an undeniable fact. This was the first time conformity existed in the world of education, but with its own hidden dark side. A side aimed at amplifying the divide between these different classes of people.

The second time the word conformity took some place in the world of education; it took a rather beneficial position. For decades career goals divided the subjects children chose to study, until recently when the concept of liberal studies took birth. Education began to be recognized once again as a means of learning, and not merely educating one enough to get a job. Subjects that often received little or no attention in the course of studies now became essentials to get into a graduate school for professional studies, or as they are most commonly known – graduation requirements. For many a lack of interest in certain subjects from this list of add-ons, limited them to be defined only in the more common term. But for those that truly took interest in them, their existence and importance as key components began to match the original purpose of education – to enlighten. This form of conformity not only led to a rather uniform form of learning preparing individuals to actually get a job, but also live a life. At this point many may disagree about describing subjects such as arts, music, humanities and social sciences as essentials to spending a normal life. But in the way many others think life is defined, man should not only be aware of what he requires, but also all that which surrounds him. Considered the most superior form of life on earth, it is man that truly rules this planet. For him to settle down in it perfectly, it is vital for him to develop a better sense of understanding. Everything man learns expands his span of thinking and his knowledge. It is this knowledge that has enabled him to be able to transform regular things into ones that benefit him more, or invent many others that never even existed in the first place. Where arts and music may play no other role for him apart from entertainment, it is true that knowledge in these fields has other added benefits rather than just training him on how to lead his life. Exploration of a wide variety of subjects has led to many students discovering their real passions, rather than depending on picking out a career from a handful of those that the world has known since ages. Conformity in the sense of liberal studies has indeed proved to be quite productive and beneficial towards the field of education. But even in America there are various technical schools that you may join if you don’t wish to attend a four years college program, so technically education hasn’t been conformed for all. Many of those who wish to join technical schools may say they cannot afford the four years college program and then a graduate school after that, hence they prefer going to a technical school instead. Here again as mentioned before financial differences have been always a major determinant of what type of education you receive. Discussing the rising financial expenses of education would introduce a whole new topic here, and so it is better not to talk about it much at this very place. But at this point it is important to raise one question. Isn’t it true that we have let those financial standards always exist as determinants of the type of education one receives, so that practically we could never bring uniformity in education? The rich will always be more educated than the poor. If our rulers truly wanted educational conformity they would have looked after the issue of rising financial expenses on education first, and then worked on any other factors that could help bring uniformity in the educational system. Here it is vital to point out that in many countries liberal studies has still not been recognized as a need for all. So talking about educational conformity on a global level, it has still not reached a satisfactory stage, if discussed through the means of liberal studies. On the other hand, around the globe in most places where the need for liberal studies has been noticed, this form of education is only limited to universities or colleges. While in other countries; such as America, courses linked to liberal studies are integrated in the school system even at secondary and high-school levels. It is important to understand that for a student who enters college or a university with a history of not being taught such courses in his previous grades, his acceptability of liberal studies may not be that much in comparison to one who has grown up to understand the importance of liberal studies. Acceptability is a big factor in what you learn. The more you are mentally convinced to learn something, the more you truly pay attention and concentrate on it, rather than just taking it up as a compulsion.

Next these influentials brought in another form of conformity which like its predecessor has helped initiate further differences in the students, our future. This form of conformity can precisely be defined as urging all to fight for being the best. It is a fight to reach a certain standard where one can be declared as a good and a promising student, who deserves the best educational opportunities in his/her future. It has quickly crept into the minds of our children, without them even realizing how it is truly limiting chances for them to strive further. It cannot be denied that performing well in school should be one of the goals of students. It cannot be denied that bringing conformity in students’ progress so that they all excel to their limits, is important. But should it gain so much importance that it tends to become the main goal for many? All our educational careers pre joining college we are taught to excel in such a manner that we can secure admission into some of the best institutions in the country or around the globe. There is no harm in educating our students to be the best, the problem lies in the definition of the fruit of this hard work that they shall be rewarded with. Where does our sense of conformity get lost when we define the variety of educational opportunities available to students? What are you telling a student when you define their performance will determine the type of further education they will receive? You are most certainly not telling them that if they are good at biological science, they can pursue their studies in that field. You are telling them that how well they perform will determine where they will study. The variety in these places of study is based on opportunities, on methods or standards of pedagogy, on the limit of the extent of knowledge provided, on the amount of personal attention or help one receives, based on the fact that if one seems to be a promising student, it is better for you to invest your time in them than another. You limit the definition of a student’s potential by their grades, their scores, their certificates, their achievements. You don’t wish to give them all the opportunities they deserve as someone interested to learn. Your standardized tests, your international examinations, help you tell them which college they deserve to be a part of. Where does educational conformity go when it comes to providing identical opportunities for all those interested to learn? Here you define their potential in your standardized ways and limit their opportunities to learn. Why should one have to travel half way across the country or even the globe to receive a better level of education? If you believed in conformity they would have received the same level of opportunities in their own hometown, where the rest of their folks have studied. “The high stakes obsession of test and punish has only served to widen the gap between the schools in the wealthiest districts and those in the poorest. We must reduce the emphasis on standardized tests that have corrupted the quality of the education children receive. The pressure placed on students and educators is enormous,” says National Education Association’s President Lily Eskelsen Garcia (Walker, neaToday.com). Lily’s statement here is indeed one we all need to ponder upon.

Educational conformity doesn’t lie within bringing uniformity in the curriculum; it lies in the form of pedagogy. If pedagogy wasn’t important we all won’t need to go to schools, the bookstore would be enough to get the books, and a law defining what subjects we were compelled to study would have been enough to ensure we all abide by this rule. Giving us the same textbooks and highlighting the importance of liberal studies have indeed been substantially beneficial on their own part. Encouraging students to compete is also not a negative step, healthy competition is always good. We all crave to be recognized for our efforts, and so it becomes an incentive for us to work hard. The problem lies in the intention of these decision makers who have never really integrated conformity with education in its complete form. We need to integrate conformity in what our students are taught, how they are taught, what opportunities they receive, the attention they receive, the fact that they should all be encouraged to ponder and not just rote learn, the methodologies adopted to make a child understand a certain concept, the chances that a school gives a student in the development of their personality, and practically everything that a school is required to teach or provide to a student. You can differ in schools based on how many luxuries, how many recreational activities they provide, but do not differentiate between the vital components of education for each individual. Conformity in education cannot be achieved until we all work on all these factors at the same time, and altogether. The examples of integration of conformity in education quoted above show you how working individually on one particular aspect may be of some benefit, but we cannot fully reach our goal until progress is made through all aspects together.

Works Cited

Anyon, Jean. "From Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum." Rereading America, edited by Gary Columbo, Robert Cullen and Bonnie Lisle, Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2013. 178.

Walker, Tim. “Poll: Americans Want Less Standardized Testing and More School Funding”. neaToday. 23 August. 2015. www.neatoday.org/2015/08/23/poll-americans-want-less-standardized-testing-and-more-school-funding/. Accessed 29 September 2016.

How to Raise a Girl the Conservative Way

Blogger's note: Before and while reading this do bear in mind that I am not presenting the situation of every girl's life, only what happens with many. Our society has certain issues and it is important that they are addressed but this content in no way projects this story as the custom of the every household. The content below may speak of some values that are affiliated with religion. Do note that the author is most certainly not speaking against these values but how sometimes they are misused by extremists to target girls in highly inappropriate ways, or how sometimes one may not conform to one of these values at a particular instant but there is a logical reason for not being able to do so. I am someone who respects the code of mehrum and na mehrum. But is it justified to judge a girl's character if she is not purely abiding by it? She may be going against a religious value but does anyone have a justification for judging her? No. I am not someone pro the display of skin, but to question a girl for raising her skirt a bit just so she doesn't trip is illogical to me. Cross your legs, sit straight! That is not how ‘good’ girls sit. Lower your voice, girls are not supposed to raise their voice so much. Sit properly and look down, good girls stay silent usually. Don’t go out alone, and don’t tell me your brother can, you’re just a little girl. But mother we’re both the same age. Ssssh! Not another word from your mouth Zara, is that what I have taught you? When your elders say something, they say it because they know better than you. Listen to your elders, don’t argue with them. That makes you seem blunt and rude. Don’t interfere much when guests come over; help me with the dishes in the kitchen. Don’t tell me I let your brother go to sit with the guests; he needs to learn to sit with the big boys. When you’re free come to me, I shall teach you how to sew. Why did you take so much time to come out today? You know your father has to go to work after picking you up from school. But mom I told you not to send him today, I told you I would come back on my own. I had a basketball practice afterschool today. What did you say missy? You will come back on your own. Don’t you dare say that again! Do you not know how ‘cruel’ the outside world is? But mom you let Asim come home alone, you never stop him. Is the world not cruel to him? Yes, the world is not cruel to him, because he is a boy and you are just a girl. I don’t want to hear again about you playing those sports, your brother can, it is not a girl’s thing. Now hurry up and finish your work, you have to help me with preparing the dinner after you are done. A girl should know how to cook good food and keep the house clean. When we’re done cooking you need to see how I iron clothes, you are growing up now; you need to learn to do all these chores. What took you so long to dust off the dirt from the decorations in the lounge? And what is that in your hand, don’t tell me you broke another one of my vases. Girls should be vigilant and not so clumsy. Go clean up yourself; good girls should always be neat and tidy. And why are you holding your skirt up high? Your legs should not be seen. I know mother but I just picked it up a little for walking up the stairs. Don’t argue with me Zara, do as you are told. And it is high time you start wearing a stole, you are growing up and women should cover themselves. But mother my shirt is already so loose! Don’t argue with me young lady, you need to start listening to me more. Now hurry up and go clean your room, and clean your brother’s too. He must be really tired after he comes back from school. Mother can I go to my friend’s birthday? No, you most certainly cannot go out all alone. But mother I am 16 now, and you let Asim stay out till midnight without Dad’ permission. You don’t even scold him for coming home so late. You hide it from Dad that he hasn’t come home yet, you lie to him that Asim is studying in his room. How dare you tell me what to do? Your brother is a boy, do you not understand that. Stop comparing him with yourself! I don’t want to hear any of this nuisance anymore, go up to your room straight away. Cover your head when you step out of the house. Have I not told you allowing you to go out on your own is only a compulsion for me, when neither your father nor I can pick you up. It’s a compulsion and we expect you to listen to us. Look down and walk straight, don’t stop anywhere, or the boys shall chase you. But mother why don’t their mothers tell them it’s wrong to do so. Don’t teach me morals Zara; I can’t reform the entire world as you wish. But mother even Asim eve teases girls, you don’t stop him either. How dare you talk about your brother like that? I don’t want to see you talking like that again. Only two years till you are eighteen! Concentrate more on yourself, like this no-one will marry you. Start losing some weight and here apply this on your face, your skin is tanning way too much. Boys don’t like dark-skinned girls. Only two more years till I am 18, what happens then mother? Is it something so special? Keep quiet young lady, a girl should not question things so much. Sara’s mother was talking about you. She was saying you have started to talk to the boys a lot. You know people will judge your character, good girls don’t talk to boys that much. But mother they are my friends. Do you not have enough female friends young woman? Is this why we put you in a co-education college? We put you there so you could study, and you are busy befriending boys. Focus on completing your education soon. You’re 18 now and your father and I are now starting to worry about your marriage. Come here, cover your head and take this tray in the lounge. Don’t say much, just offer a greeting. Serve them quietly and I’ll be there by then, come sit next to me. But mother who are they; I have never seen them before? They have come here with a marriage proposal; they want you to become their daughter in law. But mother I want to get a job. I want to work on my career. Stop arguing with me young lady and do as you are told, you completed your education, is that not enough for you? Go on now! I don’t want to repeat myself again. Mother it’s only been a few months to my marriage, and my mother-in-law wants me to have a baby soon. She is right, do as she says. Don’t go against her commands, did I not tell you to respect her even more than your own mother. Don’t argue with her like you argue with me. She is not your mother, only I can bear all your rants. Pray that your first child is a son; it will raise your status in the household. And if it is a girl, try for another child before your sister-in-law has a boy. She is younger than you; you must have a boy before her, if you want to be recognized for your status in the house. Mother my husband is having an affair with another woman. When I confronted him he says he is a man and he can do anything he wants. He taunts me that my own brother also had multiple girlfriends. If I say too much he raises his hand. Mother I do everything as you told me to and he is still not happy with me. He searches for happiness in other women. Patience my child, a woman should learn to be patient. Don’t raise your voice or retaliate much, he is your husband, you should listen to him. Learn to bear, a girl should not complain to her mother each time something happens in her new home. Try to bear little things, women are supposed to be patient. Good gracious woman, tell your daughter to sit properly. That is not how ‘good’ girls sit.

Do Not Tell Me Feminists Have Nothing to Fight For

If your sister had to be told not to step out alone out of the house out of fear of the time of the day.
If your sister had to call you everytime she was traveling alone in a cab to tell you about her whereabouts so no-one could attack her.
If your classmate was afraid to take help from a male professor after the entire class left.
If a woman next to you had to press buttons for all the floors on a lift because she had to travel to the top in a lift alone with you.
If a woman on the bus you were traveling in found it awkward to walk through to the back with men standing on both the sides smirking at her.
If the girl who lived next door was chased by a group of young men in broad daylight too.
If your daughter's marriage was dependent on the gifts you gave to her husband and in-laws, in cash or not.
If your female coworker came all bruised each morning.
If your wife had to instruct your daughter to carry a pepperspray in her purse.
Don't tell me feminists have nothing to fight for. They fight for the fears inculcated into women's brains by none other than the opposite gender.
No sane feminists lashes out at men unnecessarily, she only asks you to consider those of her gender to have the right to live a fearless life.

The Light Within You

The light within you is what they seek,
To blow it off is to lock you away,
The shadows only choose to engulf you,
If you choose to let them stay,
Your sparkle is their target,
It's what gives you your strength,
These snatchers seek to dull it,
So down the alleys of depression, you can be sent,
They will chase you the more you run,
From them there is no escape,
Each scream you let out of your mouth,
Will only cause it to get taped,
Sometimes rebellion isn't the best option,
There's one that can truly save you then,
Is to patiently waiting for the moment,
Protect yourself till then,
Don't push them aside, it won't help,
But don't let them creep inside you either,
Don't cry, don't beg for help,
Don't choose to become the pleader,
Face them as how they come,
Look them straight in the eye,
Your will is the only thing you have,
Let it not shatter till you die,
Don't let your heart drift away,
Don't let your brain tell you it's ended,
It isn't until you choose to not breath again,
Until they laugh at your soul that just accended.