The unsolicited consolation given by all!
Now things might have changed for many, but for many others it is the same!
The birth of a daughter is celebrated in these places; thanks to social media we get to see what our previous generation didn't get to see.
But unfortunately, we are still far behind in welcoming a daughter into our household. Though the present generation moms and dads have far more and better acceptance of their daughters, hiccups from yester generations are still seen.
Let's see a few weird things Indian parents are told when their daughters are born.
"Boys and girls are equal these days"
You would see many uncles and aunties walking up to the new parents with words like "you know, girls are equal to boys these days."
This comparison is not required in the first place. Comparing a gender to another and then drawing a conclusion is not only depreciating the value of a gender before another it is also an attempt to draw an unclear line between the two.
Both the genders have always been equal; the only problem was one of them was not granted access to equality.
"Laxmi aayi hai aapke ghar"
It feels an honour to compare a girl's birth with Hindu Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth and abundance.
But does it mean the same?
Parents are told this statement in a compensatory manner. The words carry pity and sympathy for not having a boy.
"Next time, you will have a boy"
Doesn't matter if we have crossed all the thresholds and have become the world's largest populated country, parents of a daughter are told, "Good luck, next time!"
The importance of a boy and the need to carry the ancestral name forward blinds even educated people. Hopeful attempts are made (and sometimes forced to be made) to have a male child.
"You have to save more now"
This is one of the most cliche statements thrust upon new parents who have a daughter.
Her wedding is the first thought that comes to everyone's mind immediately after she is born. Even before her own parents think about it, they are made aware by the "responsible" elders that one needs to save a lot for her wedding.
Things might have changed for some now, but sadly many families go through this till date. When it is a second or a third daughter, the saving recommendations go higher.
“She will ultimately leave you”
As per Court orders, a married woman is as much responsible for taking care of her family and her own parents as a married man is supposed to be.
Do not demarcate the responsibility of an individual based on their gender and based on some archaic social practices.
Encourage new parents to be proud parents and embrace their child; whether it is a boy or a girl.