It’s a privilege to be the oldest child in the family; she often receives beyond measure-love, care, attention. The child grows up; a secure childhood passes by with out many hassles. As she reaches late childhood a faint realization creeps in that it is not always to her advantage to be a girl. As she approaches adolescence, she feels as if a wall has been built between her and the outside world. The world outside, starts appearing darker. She cannot help being paranoid and cast a suspicious eye on the men around her- when she walks down the street or when she travels in a bus. The world seems to be closing in on her, when her adolescent spirit wants to break free. She feels an immense need to guard herself from succumbing to the role prescriptions of the society. She tries to believe she that the world is not all dark; there is potential and hope. Still at times she feels the pull of the invisible chains around her. As time passes by she learns to take things into her stride but she does not forget that she has to fight the system. Somewhere down the line she also realizes that the system she is fighting is as much inside her as outside This is my story; my struggle. Story of just another gendered face.
