Endless Rules

Boundaries set by mankind in an attempt to create the perfect world. Different societies have different rules. Some societies have none. And some societies have it all.

For a Muslim Woman from an Asian Country...the rules are endless. We are born into written and unwritten rules for every move we make. Some rules are dictated to us by our religion and some thrown at us by the society. Most make sense but many are ridiculous.

We have rules for how to eat, how we talk and the way we walk and dress and even sleep. In our society woman are expected to live like prisoners abiding these rules every minute. Our religion and my society tells me how to 'behave' like a woman.

When I was young, I never understood these rules and the impact they would have on me. I remember a phase when I wished I was a boy. Only because they can do what they want, basically be children. They can run around without a care, they can shout and jump and dress and play games. Activities that little children do but which had been callously corrupted by the rules of society. Girls in my society were not encouraged to act spontaneously as little children do, to play games without a care. We had to talk softly and walk quietly. We cannot sit cross legged in front of elders and men and we cannot sleep on our backs. We cannot play with little boys and we cannot play outside. No sports, no activities, no movies or hanging out at friends houses.

I have never resented all the rules that were piled on us. There are some rules that I respect and understand. Some that are required to guide and some to control. Most of the rules laid down by my religion have a basis of truth to them.

It is my society that I resent. Their interpretation of the religion and their imposition of it. Society saw the rules in their harshest light and followed it blindly, not understanding them. The narrow minded society that shaped my parents made me unhappy. Woman were not allowed to voice out opinions, they were not required to think. They were there primarily to make babies and to take care of their families. The Man knows it all.

I grew up self conscious and unconfident, unable to speak my mind and conscious of every move I make. Was I right in saying that? Is my walk attracting unwarranted attention? Rules that follow and torment me every minute of my adult life.