Woes of a Ten-Year-Old Girl
This is a poem about a young girl, in her preteen age, who is being forced to change the way she used to dress up, behave, think; moreover, being critiqued all the time to change. She is so young that she can’t understand the regressive, patriarchal norms, and the way they get passed down only to girls.
All she was encouraged to do earlier-like dancing, singing, wearing frocks et al are being discouraged now and she feels trapped with this new set of rules that are being enforced upon her to make her realize that she is growing up.
I think all of us need to think about how these preteens transition beautifully into their adolescence. Let’s talk among friends, family, and groups to learn how to be the best parents especially for children going through their preteen age. In this tween age, children learn to take hold of their lives and start absorbing everything that surrounds them. Please think differently and change the world for them.
Why I am here, can you guess?
Can a ten-year-old girl be in a mess?
Don’t be surprised, what I tell you here
Certainly, I’m in fear
So, my life was cool until a few years ago
Suddenly, I was asked to — a few things I need to let go
The purdah started for me at the age of four
No boy as young as me wasn’t allowed at my house door
When I was eight and ordered passed–my legs should be covered, without any questions asked — what, why, and when
Passed another order recently — no birthday celebrations after the age of ten
What’s happening with my life I wonder
Day and night, I just ponder
I cannot listen to songs, go out to talk, dance in my room
My childhood is sent to its doom
With some courage, I asked — why?
In a second came the reply — religion doesn’t allow, I sigh!
I know, my father loved other women except for my mother
My mother fought, lied, and abused in front of others
She was happy buying new clothes for every occasion
Not much bothered about her and my father’s equation
The birthday celebration is non-religious
What are my parents involved in — isn’t vicious?
For society, we’re broad-minded
I keep thinking, is it really?
I am frustrated, unhappy, and nervous
Wading through the preteen age is obnoxious
So, I’ve a question for all of you
With your preteen sons, what do you do?
Are you teaching your sons to behave well
Or are you also making their growing up somewhat hell?
Why growing up for girls is a big pain?
Why parents become insane?
Why are my parents panicking so much?
For correcting my behaviour, clothing, even thinking — I get a nudge?
Can someone help me and the girls of my age group, please?
Growing up as a girl isn’t a breeze
My parents are selective in practicing what to follow in my religion
At this age, should religion be my ambition?
The pressure of studies, parents and society
Trust me, the burden on my shoulders is mighty
They admire the women of the past
Glorify those women who hunted tigers, but now it doesn’t last
I’m being bottled up too much, I can’t breathe
Dreams, not one, two, way too many underneath
Parents push me to achieve what they couldn’t, now they apply a different formula
To ensure, in society, my wins can make them popular
Nothing has changed for women despite reaching the moon
In this so-called modern world, I’m struggling to break the cocoon
Don’t celebrate your success dear fathers
If at this age, unhappy are your daughters
Do something to make our lives happier
At least remove ugly, and regressive patriarchal barriers
Such hypocrisy and sham, my God
Why rules aren’t the same for any gender — like peas in a pod
Have you seen sunrays fighting to pierce through the clouds?
So we are — rebels in the making, don’t harbour any doubts.
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