There is no doubt that out of all the Ramzan special dramas of this year, ‘Hum Tum’ has turned out to be bearable to watch. If we talk about breaking stereotypes in society then this drama has challenged many of them.
However, there is something disturbing about this drama, and not only this drama serial but Pakistani dramas have previously portrayed in the past that girls who are book smart are either evil, disobedient, or lack a house chorus.
The portrayal of Qutubuddin sisters
In these 10 episodes of Hum Tum, one thing we are sure of is that the Qutubuddin sisters i.e Maha, Neha, and Sasha are not only intelligent but believe in learning every day.
Despite these sisters being intelligent, are shown solely defocused when it comes to house chores, and for that their father always seems to be very harsh with them.
Effects of such portrayals
The media is regarded as a social transformation agent. It has the ability to almost hypnotise us all. Despite the fact that women are a fundamental and essential part of life, the portrayal of women in the media has caught our attention.
Whereas the West was able to break out of the box and allow women to flourish over a century ago, Pakistan is still grappling with gender stereotypes.
The effects of such portrayals in the drama give a bad impression on people about Pakistani educated women that are considered disinterested in the house or any other chorus and are too bold to become a life partner who would challenge male-oriented culture.
Women and society
As soon as women are mentioned, what emerges into our mind can be their beautiful appearance, good at heavy housework, and too much talk. These stereotypical images of women have been prevailing for centuries, so honestly if someone judges women on such skills, they cannot be entirely blamed.
Women and media
Good women, I repeat ‘good women’ are depicted as dusting the house, sewing clothes, cooking, and nursing children in TV dramas. Their husbands are treated as if these men were celestial beings to whom women owe allegiance.
Such portrayals confuse the mind of audience that women who are well educated will be either bold, outspoken, cunning and will never compromise and do house chorus and on other hand, women who can make gol roti are a perfect example of ‘good women’.
Gender inequality in household chores
Now there is a myth that household chores and cleaning are meant for women only which is bluntly false. It should be noted that cleaning and hygiene are never gender-based.
Role of media
Due to the complexity of Pakistani society, where conventions, values, and traditions play a prominent role in portraying women, media should create and show content that allows women to exert their agency within these established positions and break free from cultural oppression.
Last but not the least, the media should definitely show the role of women who are good in studies can also be good at house chores too and if they are not then it is fine, cleaning is not gender-based.
