Sometimes, it seems like a woman's life is easy. She just has to survive. Everything else—her choices, her dreams, her aspirations—are already decided for her. Society hands her a list of options, none of which she may truly want, yet she is expected to choose one and live by it. From the moment she is born, her life is scripted by others, and she must simply act accordingly.

The Puppet Strings Begin Early
A woman's puppet life begins when she is just a young girl. Who holds the strings? Almost everyone. Parents, relatives, society, teachers, peers—each of them plays a role in shaping her reality.

From an early age, she is told what she can and cannot do. She is expected to make only female friends because, according to society, boys and girls cannot be "just friends." If she wants to go out with friends, she faces restrictions. If it’s an all-girls group, it’s "not safe." If there are boys in the group, then it’s "definitely not safe." Her safety is always in question, and the answer is always control.

Even as a teenager, she is reminded that she must return home before dark. "Late nights aren’t safe for you," she is told. But why is it unsafe? Shouldn't society be responsible for ensuring everyone’s safety instead of restricting women's freedom?

Career Dreams or Societal Expectations?
As she grows older, even her career choices aren’t truly her own. She is expected to choose a path that aligns with her future role as a wife and mother.

What if she wants to pursue sports? What if she dreams of becoming a boxer, a football player, or an astronaut? Society immediately steps in with its disapproving voice: "What will people say?" "Is that a suitable career for a girl?"

Even if she is lucky enough to have supportive parents who encourage her education and ambitions, there’s always an invisible wall. What happens after marriage? Will her in-laws support her career? Will she still be allowed to follow her dreams after having a baby? Too often, the answer is no.

The Marriage Paradox
How often have we heard parents tell their daughters, "Do whatever you want after marriage. Travel, dress however you like, live your dreams"? The irony is striking. If she couldn't live freely in her own home, what guarantees that she will after marriage? Why should her freedom be conditional on a husband’s permission?

From childhood, she is reminded that she is "Paraya Dhan"—someone else’s property. She is raised with the expectation that she will one day leave her home to become a daughter-in-law, a wife, and a mother. Her own aspirations take a backseat to these predefined roles.

A Woman’s Expected Perfection
Society expects a woman to be an all-rounder. She should be well-educated yet humble, financially independent yet family-oriented, and ambitious yet submissive. She must be a good cook, a perfect homemaker, and an ideal wife. The expectations never end.
But where is her individuality in all of this? Where is her right to just be herself?

The Other Side of the Coin
While every coin has two sides, this scenario is no different. While many women face societal restrictions, there are also those who have been fortunate to have families that stand by their daughters, wives, and sisters. These families recognise that a woman's dreams and ambitions are just as important as anyone else's. They do not differentiate between sons and daughters, regardless of societal expectations.

Throughout history, many parents have nurtured their daughters' passions, encouraging them to pursue careers, education, and personal growth. Husbands have supported their wives in breaking barriers and achieving their goals. Brothers have defended their sisters' right to make independent choices, ensuring they have the same freedoms as men.

Icons like P.V. Sindhu, Mary Kom, and Kalpana Chawla are shining examples of women who achieved greatness with the unwavering support of their families. Their success is a testament to how empowerment begins at home. Women have excelled in science, art, sports, and leadership, proving that success does not have to come at the cost of relationships, it can be nurtured by them.

Breaking the Cycle
The world is changing, but not fast enough. While some parents are breaking societal norms and allowing their daughters to live freely, many others still adhere to outdated traditions. It is time to rewrite the script, to let women decide their own paths.
Hey women, it takes time for society to change. If you wait, things may eventually shift in your favour—but why wait? You are the one who can bring change by not passing the same restrictive beliefs to future generations. Do not allow society to decide or control your children's lives and decisions.
Raise yourself as an INDEPENDENT individual—not just financially, but also in making decisions for your own life. Lead your life your way, keep the steering wheel of your life in your control, and take full responsibility for the outcomes.
Let your kids watch you and let them lead their lives on their own. Let them understand right and wrong, and explore their new world while you keep exploring your own.
A woman’s life should not be about surviving within the limitations imposed on her. It should be about thriving, dreaming, and achieving on her own terms. She is not a puppet. She is the master of her own fate.
It’s time for society to stop dictating a woman’s life. It’s time for women to reclaim their choices, their voices, and their freedom.

Contributed By - Archana Nair, Child psychologist with a specialization in play therapy