Trend of doctor brides in Pakistan
Gender roles are concern of many feminists in Pakistan. However, what they fail to understand is the bitter fact as to how women's dominancy in an extra-ordinary role- which is a rare case in Pakistan- is heading towards a wrong end. Their role in public life, specifically in the medical field, has been marking a huge presence in the country. Worryingly, in this aspect where gender parity is asymmetrical in favor of women is also suffering from the worrisome trend. Yes, I am talking about the ever-increasing number of doctor girls and their vulnerability against getting married before starting their medical careers. There is an increasingly huge trend of doctor brides in the country. Some sections of society think doctor daughters-in-law add to their prestige and reputation.
Unsurprisingly, the adages like "beta bahu chahye to doctor hi ho warna koi zarurat nhi" have become the fact of the day in the country. According to a report, roughly more than fifty percent of doctor girls become the victims of this prevailing trend, and quit their medical jobs, and end up doing household chores. If it were to happen in the first place, what was a point in wasting five or so years in this medical field? Only to get a partner of high status?
What is more unnerving news is the acquiescence of these victimized girls. How can they compromise on their future knowing the fact that their careers will be ruined? Among these victims are also those doctor girls who unfortunately happen to be 2nd, 3rd or 4th wife of some reputable doctors or medical professors. This vogue is utterly nonsense, and gives the impression of superior complexity, to say the least. It is just because our society holds them in high esteem. One of my friends is a civil engineer, and his younger brother is a doctor in the making. He narrates his story about how his relatives and friends have great respect for his doctor brother. And when his father's friends listen about his sons, they become more 'wow' on doctor son. Moreover, another friend of mine loved a girl and wanted to marry her who unfortunately happened a doctor. She refused on the excuse that he was not a doctor but merely an electrical engineer. On the whole, it can rightly be argued that there is a growing sense of superiority in this medical profession.
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Parents do a lot for their daughters. They dream about them becoming doctors, and they sap their energy, only to afford their expenses of medical studies. However, in the end those daughters throw cold water on their dreams. Not only for a second they realize their value for society. As we know, due to the commercialization of education, the country has seen a record growth in medical universities, especially during Parvez Musharraf Government. At first, there were a few public universities where merit reigned. Now even a below-average student can become a doctor, thanks to money.
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This trend of doctor brides has had its effect on the economy of the country and the health care system. As for as economy is concerned, it is an established fact participation of women enhances the economic growth of a country, as reported by the International Monetary Fund. Our country's main problem is unpaid labor which is largely practiced in the form of household jobs. Of which, these doctor brides also become a significant part. Hence, they contribute indirectly to the sagging economy of the country. As for the health care system, female doctors add female values to this profession, just like a mother's care and love. This is very affirmative for a health care system. Their absence does considerable damage to this very important sector.
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My point is not ridiculing doctors or their prestigious profession, but it is: why is professionalism lacking in this field? Why has it just become the yardstick of measuring social status? Why do doctor girls give up on their ambition of serving humanity at the expense of some tempting offers? In the past, girls used to dream that one day their prince would come on the horse to marry them. Now they dream a doctor will come. Has a doctor replaced a proverbial Prince?
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