Dear Diary
I wish I could discuss my body without being ashamed
I wish I could discuss my mind without being labelled a weirdo
I wish I could talk and understand
what I am feeling and why I am feeling
Whats the point in knowing about cultures and civilisation
About lands and inventions and formulas
When I ignore my mind and my body.
Why should I be made to feel ashamed of my private parts
Why should I be made to ignore my feelings and thoughts
When I hurt my finger, I know first aid
But when I feel hurt and alone, I feel ashamed to ask for aid
How will I ever know, if what I think and feel is normal
When sex education and psychology are not, subjects normal.
Whats the point of MY life, I want to think and ask
But let me get on with my algebra, otherwise I will be taken to task
A 13 year old girl
Showing posts with label Kidding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kidding. Show all posts
Oct 19, 2009
Dec 22, 2005
Kidding - Why cant I become a homemaker?
Dear Diary
I got excited when Uncle asked me what I wanted to become.
I decided to come out with my secret.
Taking a deep breath, I said "I want to become a homemaker".
And everyone gasped.
Uncle thought I was joking and being rude to him.
Aunty questioned my mother on my ranks and was more shocked to realise I was a topper.
"What a waste of education", said my aunty.
Now if I studied to become an engineer and decided later to become a film star or politician, I am sure she wouldnt have said that.
"Well I will study BSc Home Science" I replied.
Uncle laughed and said "And sit at home and watch TV".
Yeah just like you sit at office and watch net porn I wanted to ask, but of course I didn't say.
"And who will marry you" asked my uncle?
My sister came to my rescue and said she wanted to become a doctor. A diabetologist. (Required before almost every surgery in India).
Everyone made approving noises.
And I left the room.
Later my sister came into my room.
I was tense. Even though I was aware that the idea wouldn't be welcomed. I had hoped for a word of support from my Mom. But she just looked dismayed.
I want to be a homemaker, because I genuinely believe I can be good at it.
And perhaps as my own tribute to Mom. And yet..
"You know the GDP of the nation comes down when the housekeeper becomes a homemaker" my sister joked, trying to break the ice.
"And why cant they assign a value to the tasks?" I retorted angrily.
"Well its done out of love.." She said hesitantly.
"I am sure Sachin, Shahrukh etc would love their job. But that doesn't diminish the value does it.? Being a homemaker can be valued and even though it need not be paid." I said angrily.
She seemed to be losing her cool as she said,"Well.. you know with appliances and hired help.. the job is easier nowadays"
"In a corporate structure one doesn't go to the Board of Directors and say, hey your company has a sales force, and everything is mechanised. Your job is of no value." I retorted angrily.
"But why do you want to become a homemaker of all things" she asked.
Even though I was upset, I couldnt help laughing.
"If Mom had been a politician or star or doctor, and if I decided to follow her, you wouldn't have asked would you? She did a lot for the family, even before we were born. I just appreciate it and think I would be good at it."
"Well then why don't you think about a career in interior design.."she started.
"What! You think thats what mother did?" I was frustrated.
She looked away and seemed to struggle with the thought of asking and then asked "Are you gay?"
I stared stunned.
I wanted to be hysteric, but then perhaps they would fix an appointment with a therapist (perhaps they have already done it).
So calmly I said "no".
"Well who will marry you? And in marriage do you think you will have respect?"
"Well just because I dont earn, doesnt mean I won't be working. And anyway, isnt it pointless to marry someone who marries you just for the sake of your career. What if I get laid off or later meet with an accident, and become unfit to earn. Would that mean the end of marriage?"
She frowned, and perhaps got frustrated.
And she got up and left with, "Well I think its just another form of rebellion and you will change your mind later. Trust me, if you dont, then life is going to be very tough for you."
I shrugged and said ok.
To be honest I am anxious. If I dont have support from my family, then how can I expect society to understand me.
But then, when the women started earning first, things wouldnt have been easy for them too. So why give up the idea so soon..
A 15 year old boy.
DO READ THIS ON Genuine Progress Indicator
Kidding is a fictional series. Read previous Kidding entries Post no.249
I got excited when Uncle asked me what I wanted to become.
I decided to come out with my secret.
Taking a deep breath, I said "I want to become a homemaker".
And everyone gasped.
Uncle thought I was joking and being rude to him.
Aunty questioned my mother on my ranks and was more shocked to realise I was a topper.
"What a waste of education", said my aunty.
Now if I studied to become an engineer and decided later to become a film star or politician, I am sure she wouldnt have said that.
"Well I will study BSc Home Science" I replied.
Uncle laughed and said "And sit at home and watch TV".
Yeah just like you sit at office and watch net porn I wanted to ask, but of course I didn't say.
"And who will marry you" asked my uncle?
My sister came to my rescue and said she wanted to become a doctor. A diabetologist. (Required before almost every surgery in India).
Everyone made approving noises.
And I left the room.
Later my sister came into my room.
I was tense. Even though I was aware that the idea wouldn't be welcomed. I had hoped for a word of support from my Mom. But she just looked dismayed.
I want to be a homemaker, because I genuinely believe I can be good at it.
And perhaps as my own tribute to Mom. And yet..
"You know the GDP of the nation comes down when the housekeeper becomes a homemaker" my sister joked, trying to break the ice.
"And why cant they assign a value to the tasks?" I retorted angrily.
"Well its done out of love.." She said hesitantly.
"I am sure Sachin, Shahrukh etc would love their job. But that doesn't diminish the value does it.? Being a homemaker can be valued and even though it need not be paid." I said angrily.
She seemed to be losing her cool as she said,"Well.. you know with appliances and hired help.. the job is easier nowadays"
"In a corporate structure one doesn't go to the Board of Directors and say, hey your company has a sales force, and everything is mechanised. Your job is of no value." I retorted angrily.
"But why do you want to become a homemaker of all things" she asked.
Even though I was upset, I couldnt help laughing.
"If Mom had been a politician or star or doctor, and if I decided to follow her, you wouldn't have asked would you? She did a lot for the family, even before we were born. I just appreciate it and think I would be good at it."
"Well then why don't you think about a career in interior design.."she started.
"What! You think thats what mother did?" I was frustrated.
She looked away and seemed to struggle with the thought of asking and then asked "Are you gay?"
I stared stunned.
I wanted to be hysteric, but then perhaps they would fix an appointment with a therapist (perhaps they have already done it).
So calmly I said "no".
"Well who will marry you? And in marriage do you think you will have respect?"
"Well just because I dont earn, doesnt mean I won't be working. And anyway, isnt it pointless to marry someone who marries you just for the sake of your career. What if I get laid off or later meet with an accident, and become unfit to earn. Would that mean the end of marriage?"
She frowned, and perhaps got frustrated.
And she got up and left with, "Well I think its just another form of rebellion and you will change your mind later. Trust me, if you dont, then life is going to be very tough for you."
I shrugged and said ok.
To be honest I am anxious. If I dont have support from my family, then how can I expect society to understand me.
But then, when the women started earning first, things wouldnt have been easy for them too. So why give up the idea so soon..
A 15 year old boy.
DO READ THIS ON Genuine Progress Indicator
Kidding is a fictional series. Read previous Kidding entries Post no.249
Sep 16, 2005
Kidding - I am not right or They are not right
Dear Diary
My Parents hate me.
I embarrassed them again today.
Guests came to our house and while shaking hands I made The Mistake
While eating I started the way my parents told me to
But the pain became unbearable and I made The Mistake.
My family and neighbours criticise me
Parents of my friends criticise me
Kids at school laugh at me
I feel different and lonely
Many times I wish they would just leave me alone
I cant even use the scissors properly
or button my clothes easily.
I dont want to eat in front of others
I dont want to take things in front of others
I dont want to write in front of others and it hurts when I am not able to even draw a line properly.
I dont want to go to temple
I wish I could write more but my parents are watching and its painful to write with the right hand.
A diary of a 5 year old left handed child.
My Parents hate me.
I embarrassed them again today.
Guests came to our house and while shaking hands I made The Mistake
While eating I started the way my parents told me to
But the pain became unbearable and I made The Mistake.
My family and neighbours criticise me
Parents of my friends criticise me
Kids at school laugh at me
I feel different and lonely
Many times I wish they would just leave me alone
I cant even use the scissors properly
or button my clothes easily.
I dont want to eat in front of others
I dont want to take things in front of others
I dont want to write in front of others and it hurts when I am not able to even draw a line properly.
I dont want to go to temple
I wish I could write more but my parents are watching and its painful to write with the right hand.
A diary of a 5 year old left handed child.
Apr 30, 2005
Kidding - What can I write, when I cant write
Dear Diary
Today, I saw another kid write a diary
But then I dont know to read or write
And even if I knew
I wouldnt get time from the work, to write
To celebrate growing old, birthday
Hope the children stays young, is the wish today
Some said, today, April 30th, is my day
Anti Child Labour Day, Today
After having outlived my use
My kids, will I too have to use?
Or their future will I be able to choose.
And save them from abuse and bruise and say I refuse?
Wish I could think about myself & my future today
But I have to work for my family to survive, today
Though to think about myself and write a diary I dont have time,
Hope someone will think of me and spend for me their time...
-Perhaps by a child, from the data given below
Few data on Child Labour in India from http://www.cry.org
Children are often treated as the "property" of the very adults who are supposed to take care for them, being ordered around, threatened, coerced, silenced, with complete disregard of them as "persons" with rights and freedoms.
•17 million children in India work as per official estimates, NGOs numbers though are higher at 100 million
•They work for 12 - 15 hours a day and earn less than Rs.3 per day.
•They work with explosives, metals, and poisonous gases from the age of 3 - 4 years.
•1 out of 4 children work… at cost of a childhood.
•A study found that children were sent to work by compulsion and not by choice, mostly by
parents, but with recruiter playing a crucial role in influencing decision
•When working outside the family, children put in an average of 21 hours of labour per week
•19% of children employed work as domestic help
•90% working children are in rural India
•85% of working children are in the unorganized sectors
•80% of child labour is engaged in agricultural work.
•25% of the victims of commercial sexual exploitation in India are below 18 years of age.
•There are approximately 2 million child commercial sex workers between the age of 5 and 15 years and about 3.3 million between 15 and 18 years
•500,000 children are forced into this trade every year
•Millions of children work to help their families because the adults do not have appropriate employment and income thus forfeiting schooling and opportunities to play and rest.
•Children also work because there is demand for cheap labour. High incidence of child labour is a result of high incidence of adult unemployment.
•Large numbers of children work simply because there is no alternative - since, they do not have access to good quality schools.
•Poor and bonded families often "sell" their children to contractors who promise lucrative jobs in the cities and the children end up being employed in brothels, hotels and domestic work. Many run away and find a life on the streets.
Today, I saw another kid write a diary
But then I dont know to read or write
And even if I knew
I wouldnt get time from the work, to write
To celebrate growing old, birthday
Hope the children stays young, is the wish today
Some said, today, April 30th, is my day
Anti Child Labour Day, Today
After having outlived my use
My kids, will I too have to use?
Or their future will I be able to choose.
And save them from abuse and bruise and say I refuse?
Wish I could think about myself & my future today
But I have to work for my family to survive, today
Though to think about myself and write a diary I dont have time,
Hope someone will think of me and spend for me their time...
-Perhaps by a child, from the data given below
Few data on Child Labour in India from http://www.cry.org
Children are often treated as the "property" of the very adults who are supposed to take care for them, being ordered around, threatened, coerced, silenced, with complete disregard of them as "persons" with rights and freedoms.
•17 million children in India work as per official estimates, NGOs numbers though are higher at 100 million
•They work for 12 - 15 hours a day and earn less than Rs.3 per day.
•They work with explosives, metals, and poisonous gases from the age of 3 - 4 years.
•1 out of 4 children work… at cost of a childhood.
•A study found that children were sent to work by compulsion and not by choice, mostly by
parents, but with recruiter playing a crucial role in influencing decision
•When working outside the family, children put in an average of 21 hours of labour per week
•19% of children employed work as domestic help
•90% working children are in rural India
•85% of working children are in the unorganized sectors
•80% of child labour is engaged in agricultural work.
•25% of the victims of commercial sexual exploitation in India are below 18 years of age.
•There are approximately 2 million child commercial sex workers between the age of 5 and 15 years and about 3.3 million between 15 and 18 years
•500,000 children are forced into this trade every year
•Millions of children work to help their families because the adults do not have appropriate employment and income thus forfeiting schooling and opportunities to play and rest.
•Children also work because there is demand for cheap labour. High incidence of child labour is a result of high incidence of adult unemployment.
•Large numbers of children work simply because there is no alternative - since, they do not have access to good quality schools.
•Poor and bonded families often "sell" their children to contractors who promise lucrative jobs in the cities and the children end up being employed in brothels, hotels and domestic work. Many run away and find a life on the streets.
Apr 8, 2005
Kidding - World Cup Wish 4 Indian Women's Cricket
Dear Diary
I hope the Indian Women's Cricket team wins the World cup in the final against Australia.
Then atleast they might come more on TV
and people will realise girls can play cricket too.
Now Mummy Papa say if I play cricket I will lose my complexion
and no one will marry me.
And at school though there is a boys cricket team, there is no girls cricket team.
And I dont know with whom I can play and practise.
If I play with the boys no one takes me seriously
And many think its just an excuse to be with boys.
(Mummy Papa get angry and say this will affect my image too).
So hopefully they will win.
But even if they dont win, I will not give up.
After all these players would have started playing a decade back
And they would have faced the same problems
But they didnt give up, did they?
A 14 year old girl.
pics from
http://specials.rediff.com/cricket/2005/apr/08cric4.htm
http://specials.rediff.com/cricket/2005/apr/08cric3.htm
Apr 2, 2005
Kidding - Win With a Wail
Dear Diary
I wanted pizza.
(Because I saw a Pizza ad on TV)
Mom said no.
I cried.
She still said no.
I cried more.
Dad came into the room.
Mom explained why I was crying.
He said he had a headache and scolded her for making me cry.
I kept on crying.
He got angry and he hit me.
I decided to cry more.
Mom and Dad argued.
I screamed.
They got tired with my screams.
They took me out.
They ordered pizza and burger and also french fries.
And wiped my tears.
And told me to be good and get good marks.
I said yes and smiled as I sipped the softdrink.
Its so easy to win with a wail.
A 6 year old.
I wanted pizza.
(Because I saw a Pizza ad on TV)
Mom said no.
I cried.
She still said no.
I cried more.
Dad came into the room.
Mom explained why I was crying.
He said he had a headache and scolded her for making me cry.
I kept on crying.
He got angry and he hit me.
I decided to cry more.
Mom and Dad argued.
I screamed.
They got tired with my screams.
They took me out.
They ordered pizza and burger and also french fries.
And wiped my tears.
And told me to be good and get good marks.
I said yes and smiled as I sipped the softdrink.
Its so easy to win with a wail.
A 6 year old.
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