Family support, a key factor

FourMore

Editor

posted on 12 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

49
views

Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsWith the rise in trend of young undergraduates continuing their education post-nuptials, family support continues to remain an important factor.For 50-year-old Radhamma, who was widowed at a young age, raising two young children was an arduous journey, without adequate formal education. Having no daughters of her own, when her son Dhanraj brought home his 18-year-old bride Shilpa, Radhamma was firm that the girl completed her education.“Both of them were in love since she was 16 and my son was 22. Months after she turned 18, they tied the knot much to the chagrin of her parents who have not come to meet her ever since. She had just joined college when they got married and considering the hardships I had to face without proper education, I want to ensure that my daughter-in-law never goes through such turbulent times. Education is a must in today’s society and I don’t mind going to any lengths to ensure she completes her degree,” she says. Her daughter-in-law is equally grateful. A student of B.Com final year now, Shilpa says that she could have never juggled the roles without the support of her mother-in-law. Even husbands are breaking the conventional mode and stepping in to support their wives.“I work and she studies. When she has her presentations or exams, I take charge of the kitchen or buy food from outside. Since I help her with the everyday chores, I have learnt a fair deal of cooking. I don’t mind waking her up when she has to study even if it is at the cost of my sleep,” says Prasanna Venkatesh, husband of R Nagamani, a student of second year in B.Sc Physics at PSGR Krishnammal College for Women in Coimbatore.According to sociologist and women’s rights activist, Ranjani Narayan, the concept of studying after tying the knot emphasises the empowerment of the fairer sex and that men are also evolving to be supportive husbands over their traditional counterparts who did not think much of the role of women.“Post-nuptial trends in education undoubtedly reflect the much broader social phenomenon of changing sex-role perceptions,” she says.While many may have the support of in-laws, not all seem to be lucky.Uma (name changed on request) was married against her wishes last year when she barely turned 18. Her in-laws are orthodox and do not believe in women studying, especially after marriage. However, she fought her way through and now is in her second year of graduation.“It is all about the mindset. I have a hard time trying to maintain peace at home. However, I know that I shall be able to hold my head up in the long run,” she quips optimistically.first published:August 28, 2012, 11:37 ISTlast updated:August 28, 2012, 11:37 IST
window._taboola = window._taboola || [];_taboola.push({mode: 'thumbnails-a', container: 'taboola-below-article-thumbnails', placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails', target_type: 'mix' });Latest News

With the rise in trend of young undergraduates continuing their education post-nuptials, family support continues to remain an important factor.

For 50-year-old Radhamma, who was widowed at a young age, raising two young children was an arduous journey, without adequate formal education. Having no daughters of her own, when her son Dhanraj brought home his 18-year-old bride Shilpa, Radhamma was firm that the girl completed her education.

“Both of them were in love since she was 16 and my son was 22. Months after she turned 18, they tied the knot much to the chagrin of her parents who have not come to meet her ever since. She had just joined college when they got married and considering the hardships I had to face without proper education, I want to ensure that my daughter-in-law never goes through such turbulent times. Education is a must in today’s society and I don’t mind going to any lengths to ensure she completes her degree,” she says. Her daughter-in-law is equally grateful. A student of B.Com final year now, Shilpa says that she could have never juggled the roles without the support of her mother-in-law. Even husbands are breaking the conventional mode and stepping in to support their wives.

“I work and she studies. When she has her presentations or exams, I take charge of the kitchen or buy food from outside. Since I help her with the everyday chores, I have learnt a fair deal of cooking. I don’t mind waking her up when she has to study even if it is at the cost of my sleep,” says Prasanna Venkatesh, husband of R Nagamani, a student of second year in B.Sc Physics at PSGR Krishnammal College for Women in Coimbatore.

According to sociologist and women’s rights activist, Ranjani Narayan, the concept of studying after tying the knot emphasises the empowerment of the fairer sex and that men are also evolving to be supportive husbands over their traditional counterparts who did not think much of the role of women.

“Post-nuptial trends in education undoubtedly reflect the much broader social phenomenon of changing sex-role perceptions,” she says.While many may have the support of in-laws, not all seem to be lucky.

Uma (name changed on request) was married against her wishes last year when she barely turned 18. Her in-laws are orthodox and do not believe in women studying, especially after marriage. However, she fought her way through and now is in her second year of graduation.

“It is all about the mindset. I have a hard time trying to maintain peace at home. However, I know that I shall be able to hold my head up in the long run,” she quips optimistically.