Stuck between generations

Being born as a female into a matriarchal family is one of the most privileged births. But actually are these families still matriarchal ? do the people involved still believe in respecting women like they used to?  In a mostly patriarchal society, the customs probably stood out but was popularly accepted as the norms of a strong division of the society. But as time progressed, the female freedom and priority started becoming a source of irritation and jealousy to the male ego of the clan. From a group of men who respected the ladies of the house as well as outside, a large part of them became egoistic and believed they were given little or no respect in their own house holds. This could have been the case with some of them but definitely was not the same with everyone.

They were the hidden chauvinists of the society who were afraid of raising their voice against female freedom in a public manner. These chauvinists penetrated through generations polluting the clan with their ego and jealousy. The numbers progressed though in a slow manner but the inner chauvinist was seldom visible to a casual onlooker. They were hidden under the strong influence of the past but were developing under the patriarchal impose of the newer generations.

But the effects of this hidden virus were profound. It was in its worst form when they started infecting the females of the group. The male versions were hidden inside a well cultured upbringing, but the female versions were publicly advocating patriarchy . They were the ones who celebrated the birth of a son when it was women who carried the family name forward. They were the ones who spread the idea of family began with husband and end with kids. While for a vast majority family still meant family home and every single member whom they grew up with.

The idea of nuclear families were spreading fast as they were easy and independent and was very much appealing to the male ego being the king. The utter dependence of the female could only be assured if she was separated from her own "family" and this became the motto for the male chauvinists and advocates of nuclear families. If you were to stay close to your family (other than husband and kids) you were portrayed as the spoil spot. This idea of nuclear families where men ruled and women obeyed was also advocated as the ideal family by the society.

But again coming from a strong matriarchal line, this was not easily acceptable for many women. The clash of these ideas later became a major cause of unrest in such families. The reasons were unclear in most cases and were easily blamed on the women being more educated and more decisive. This fight between the old school and new school is still happening in wide majority of such families and there are lots of people stuck between generations.

The overpowering of either ideas by another is not easy as one is based on generations of believing and character forming while the other is based on an easy and popular idea. In any case, in this new era where women are fighting for their rights and freedom, it is always important to remember in a time where men ruled and controlled, there were a group of women who were strong and educated enough to stand up and lead the way. Even though we may never be able to follow their model, lets show some respect to them and feel proud of that tradition.