In a recent episode of the popular morning show Good Morning Pakistan, hosted by Nida Yasir, the discussion delved into a nuanced exploration of societal pressures on men, shedding light on the challenges they face in the pursuit of stable careers and relationships. Nida, a prominent figure in Pakistani television, initiated the conversation by emphasising that while women undoubtedly receive taunts in society, it is equally important to acknowledge the struggles faced by men, particularly in the context of career stability.

She pointed out that the societal expectations and criticisms extend to men who, despite their educational qualifications, may encounter difficulties in securing a stable job. “Women do receive taunts,” she said, “but a boy is severely hurt when, after studying, he looks for a job, his career isn’t stable - there, he, too, must bear taunts. Whether he can’t find a job, or the job isn’t great. He, too, bears taunts in this society, not just women. We won’t just speak about women, we’ll speak about men too. No matter how hard he works, he bears these taunts related to money.”

The conversation unfolded to highlight the prevalent societal expectation that as soon as a man graduates, there is an assumption that he should swiftly ascend to the role of a CEO or attain a high-ranking position. Guests on the show contributed to the discourse by discussing how the wives and children of such men also become targets of taunts when these expectations are not met.

Nida underscored the societal shock and scrutiny faced by job-seeking men when their proposals are taken to prospective partners’ homes. The unrealistic expectation of finding a young, settled man was criticised, emphasising the need for a more pragmatic outlook. The host emphasised that akin to women, men, too, bear the brunt of taunts, particularly in scenarios where a man chooses his life partner or faces challenges within the marriage. The discussion broadened to include the role of in-laws in contributing to the societal pressures and taunts faced by men. “If women are bearing taunts, then so are men,” reiterated Nida. She highlighted how the boy’s in-laws can also contribute to the taunts. The discussion also pivoted to how, if a boy marries someone of his choosing and his wife slips up, he must bear taunts in that case as well.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 05 2023

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