The Pendulum Swing: From Patriarchy to Matriarchal Overcorrection

— A Call for True Equality?

In the tapestry of Indian society, the threads of gender dynamics have woven a complex pattern throughout history. As we stand in 2024, we find ourselves at a crucial juncture where the pendulum of power has swung dramatically from one extreme to another. The journey from entrenched patriarchy to a society grappling with overcorrection in favor of women’s rights offers valuable lessons about the need for balance and the consequences of neglecting true equality.

The Patriarchal Legacy

For centuries, Indian society was governed by a patriarchal structure that defined every aspect of life. Men held the reins of power, making decisions that affected families, communities, and the nation at large. Women, on the other hand, were relegated to domestic spheres, their potential stifled by social constraints and cultural norms.

Education for girls was considered unnecessary, property rights were firmly in male hands, and the workplace was an almost exclusively male domain. The dowry system persisted despite legal prohibitions, reflecting the economic devaluation of women. The preference for male children resulted in devastating demographic imbalances, and women were denied mobility and economic independence, tethered to traditional roles.

This system created deep-rooted disparities that echoed through generations. Women’s voices were silenced. Their career aspirations were dismissed, and their fundamental rights were often denied. These injustices demanded correction, and rightfully so. However, the solutions we have seen in recent years may have swung the pendulum too far, creating new imbalances that threaten the fabric of social harmony.

The Matriarchal Overcorrection

In an attempt to redress these historical wrongs, Indian society has witnessed a dramatic shift toward what many perceive as matriarchal overcompensation. While the initial intention was to empower women, the overreach in legal, corporate, and social spheres has led to the creation of new injustices that disproportionately affect men and undermine the goal of true equality.

Extreme Examples of Legal Misuse

In the legal sphere, laws designed to protect women have sometimes become tools of harassment. Consider the case of Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, which was intended to shield women from dowry harassment. While this law was undoubtedly necessary, it has been misused in numerous instances, with false cases being filed to extort money or settle personal scores.

For example, a professional woman working in a private bank recently filed a false FIR against her husband, his parents, and his extended family, accusing them of dowry harassment and cruelty. Despite earning equally as much as her husband, she demanded a ransom of ₹2 crores in lump sum and ₹7 lakhs per month for child maintenance in exchange for withdrawing the false allegations. Most husbands, fearing legal harassment and prolonged court battles, are forced to comply, even though the accusations are baseless. In such cases, there is no punishment for the woman, even when her allegations are proven false.

The Legal Trap of Promises to Marry

Another example that highlights the problems created by overcorrection is the growing legal entanglement surrounding “rape under the pretext of marriage”. A young man, after dating a woman for several months, decided to break off the relationship after discovering her adultery. However, the woman filed a case accusing him of promising marriage and then reneging on that promise, effectively turning their consensual relationship into a criminal offense. Even though the man had valid reasons for ending the relationship, the law often sides with the woman, leaving men vulnerable to criminal charges for simply opting out of a relationship.

Consensual Encounters Turned Legal Nightmares

In situations where two consenting adults engage in a physical relationship, the man can later find himself facing legal consequences if the woman claims that she did not fully agree, or that her consent was influenced by emotional or psychological factors. Even if both parties mutually enjoyed the experience, the man can be held solely accountable. This has led to unfair criminal cases, where men are often punished for consensual acts simply because the woman later reinterprets the encounter differently.

The Social and Corporate Imbalance

In the corporate world, the rush to embrace gender diversity has sometimes led to reverse discrimination, where merit takes a backseat to gender quotas. Companies eager to appear progressive have implemented preferential hiring and fast-track promotion schemes for women, often sidelining talented men. While promoting gender diversity is essential, doing so at the cost of meritocracy creates resentment and undermines the idea of fairness.

Furthermore, the social impact of this overcorrection is profound. Men are increasingly wary of marriage, fearing legal entanglements and false accusations. Mental health issues among men have risen, but they find little acknowledgment or support in public discourse. The economic pressure on men remains unchanged, despite women’s increasing financial independence.

A Future Without Marriage and Children?

The consequences of this imbalance are becoming alarmingly clear. If this trend continues unchecked, we may reach a point where marriages become rare, and families disintegrate. Men, afraid of the legal and financial risks, may choose to forgo marriage altogether. Women, empowered by laws that favor them, may find themselves facing a society where fewer men are willing to commit. This imbalance could lead to a future where fewer children are born, and the very fabric of Indian society — built on family and community — begins to unravel.

If men and women are constantly pitted against each other in a legal and social minefield, the institution of marriage may collapse under the weight of mistrust. With declining birth rates and fewer stable families, India’s demographic structure could face serious challenges in the coming decades. A society without strong family units is a society that risks stagnation and decline.

The Need for Balanced Feminism

True feminism is not about replacing one form of inequality with another but about fostering a society where both men and women are treated fairly in all spheres of life — legal, corporate, and social. To achieve this, we need gender-neutral laws that protect everyone equally, merit-based opportunities in the workplace, and a balanced approach to gender relations in society. Without this balance, we risk creating a future where the fabric of our society — rooted in marriage, family, and trust — begins to unravel. Gender equality should not be a battle of supremacy but a movement toward true harmony, where all individuals are valued for their merit and contribution, regardless of their gender.