Back in 2016 when Sania Mirza launched her biography, she was confronted by a very “pressing” question by journalist Rajdeep Sardesai on national television. “When is Sania going to settle down? Is it going to be in Dubai? Is it going to be any other country? What about motherhood and building your family? I don’t see that in the book. It seems you don’t wanna retire just yet to settle down,” he had asked.
Thankfully for us, Sania promptly replied, “You don’t think I am settled? You sound disappointed that I am actually not choosing motherhood over being number 1 in the world at this point in time. But that’s actually one of the questions I face every time as a woman, one is marriage and the other is motherhood. Unfortunately, that is when we are considered ‘settled’ no matter how many Wimbledon’s we win or number 1 in the world we become.”
Well, to his credit the journalist did realise his mistake, accepted that he would have never asked this question from a male athlete, and apologised to Sania then and there. However, that’s just one of the very sporadic instances of people being corrected after asking problematic, and, not to forget, sexist questions. And the fact remains that more often than not, women in India are quizzed with the idea of motherhood and the impossibility of having a successful career while being a parent.
Ironically, that’s never the case with men. No one ever asked, say, Shahrukh Khan or Hrithik Roshan if they plan to quit acting after becoming parents, right? Well, at least, not until the news of Virushka’s impending parenthood broke the internet recently. Yesterday, a Twitter user took it upon herself to do the task and call out this sexism moments after the news of Virushka’s pregnancy was released.
This is what she tweeted:
The sarcastic tweet was aimed to call out all those who ask such problematic questions from women who are expecting or who have had children. Very soon the thread caught up as people started responding with equally sarcastic queries and quips. Here’s what they had to say:
Thoda 19-20 Toh Hoga Yaar
‘Coz More Often Than Not It’s A Matter Of Getting “Allowed”
And Then Re-Start The Career All Over Again ‘Coz That’s What ‘Good’ Parents Do
Of Course, The Onus Here Begins With Leaving Your Career
‘Coz They Shouldn’t Be Burdened With Any Of ‘Your’ Work
You Asked For It
‘Coz Parenthood & Having A career Don’t Gel
Knowing Your Place Is The Key
Again, Always Know Your Place & Don’t Be Selfish To The Extent Of Wanting A Career
Coz No One Wants A Cranky Parent To Kill The Workplaces’s Vibe
Then There Was Someone Who Heard The Sound Of Sarcasm Swishing Past Their Heads
Well, it is important that we understand that this tweet or sarcasm is not to question the kind of parents Virat and Anushka are going to be. The intent is to make a commentary on why women are time and again presented with the idea of quitting their careers and take care of their families while men can go about doing as they please.
Let’s please stop asking these ludicrous questions from expecting mother and entertaining them as well!
Featured Image: Instagram
