Ritika Ruminates

Image source- Navbharat Times A recent case has came up from DPS Faridabad where a teenager boy has committed suicide because he was sexually assaulted by a gang of his gang from his school, facing homophobia and ableism. His mother, who is teacher in same school (Delhi Public School) as him, have told that she had complained about the assault case to school authorities multiple times but no action was taken. They just said that some of those boys have left the school, and rest do not agree to have assaulted her son (if they actually did it, which molestor would agree to have done it anyways?). A lot of rape cases to males aren't even registered and aren't taken seriously.  Why is rape or any sexual assault on males not taken seriously? The answer lies in patriarchy and toxic masculinity, that men can never get raped. That males aren't so "weak" to have gone through it. This only causes worsening scenario for innocent men who got sexually assaulted and the prepetr...

Image source- Wikipedia Social media was invented for people to connect with people worldwide and stay in touch with known people. Initially, it was a safe space to say, at least from the dark reality of the outside world. But soon, over time, the hatred of the outside world creeped into our phones and screens as well. Go through comments on any post on any of the social media platforms, we would find at least one hateful or mean comment. And this has just only been becoming more common. All those who have an account on social media will at least have come across some online bullying or abuse. Wasn't it expected that with coming years, people would get more open minded and become more accepting? But where are we even heading? Unnecessary cuss words, trolling, threats to life by rape, acid attack or murder. Children, being innocent, often falls prey to most of online abuse. The reason of this hate and abuse is many. To name a few- gender, hierarchy systems, religion, rac...

Image Source- Shutterstock I was reading Tahira Kashyap Khurrana's book 'The 7 Sins Of Being A Mother' and the chapter of Submission, which deals with her anecdote of facing bullying as a child. That inspired me to write this blogpost to share about my anecdote of having to deal with bullying as well, something that I had hardly ever spoken about.  Bullying has long existed in schools, colleges and sometimes even in workplaces (some people never really grow up). Bullying in childhood can have mental and emotional effects on the victim, well into their adulthood. Sometimes the childhood bullying can even turn into physical and/or sexual abuse based on physical appearance, mental health issues, race, ethnicity, religion, caste, family background, gender, sexual preferences, origin, physical disability, etc. Some of the effects of bullying on the victims are: Difficulty trusting one's own self and others, leading to having issues making friends, romantic partners and other...

Toxic parenting is hard to deal with. The pressure it creates on kid is really at a huge level. Dealing with toxic parenting is very hard.  I came across this post on Instagram by IG handle named  @tera._dost and have shared the post slides in the post (Not any paid promotion or any kind of that). I wouldn't be writing much today as those slides are enough.  Do not force things on them related to ANYTHING. Labelling someone isn't just right.  Your child is unique and the only one on this Earth. There will be similar people but no one exactly same to child, not exactly same as yours. Stop the cliché dialogue "Sharmaji ka beta/beti" or whosever child. We kids are not interested in being like them. Talk to them in composed way, have a conversation, make them realize their mistake and how can they correct it and not repeat it again. You can ground them for some time. When you scream, they look at your tone, not...

We have been taught from childhood about hard work, and as we grow up, getting good grades, earning money,  earning 'reputation in the society', etc. But why were we never taught about a sense of fulfilment, about satisfaction, mental peace, and even smart work for that matter? That where do we have to invest our hard work into? Hard work is good if it is in a suitable direction for you which gives you mental peace, fulfilment and satisfaction. Cause if the hard work is invested in a direction which does not give you mental peace, fulfilment and satisfaction are wasted. Hard work in a part of smart work. You should know how much hard work to invest in, in what direction, etc. Mental peace, fulfilment, satisfaction and hard work are not only needed in professional life but in personal life as well. We have to put the right amount of hard work and smart work in our careers and our relationships to make them work and give us a sense of satisfaction and fulfilment. The hard work y...