Individualistic, bold, aware, upfront… and sexually active!
An unlikely combination but this can be said about the ‘new’ independent woman, of course, with all apologies taken.
The new generation, symbolising the 20th century, apparently the most progressive in terms of awareness and individual enhancement, is wrapped under controversies and psychological complexities today. And this is more accentuated in the ‘new’ women who often find themselves in morally conflicting situations.

COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

Majority of the metropolitan working women leave behind their roots in the back-alleys of some conservative social set up, the small towns. The westernised education in public schools and convents, however, has helped in the building up of a complex individual today. The initial cultural shock and then the gradual adaptation to the cosmopolitan life shapes them up in a rather confused form. Deeply entrenched values seem to be corroded gradually and a liberation of thoughts and the young lifestyle leads to complexes that can better be defined as a result of the transition.
Yes, we are a generation in transition. But the most puzzling aspect of it is the curious amalgamation of the traditional values and modernisation of thoughts. While the youth, particularly the young woman, still values deep respect and familial attachments, the frivolousness of character shows a stark degeneration in terms of morality.

Getting down to specifics, Delhi today is overflowing with the young, vibrant working women mainly comprising of the early 20s. A group of friends shacking up in a common flat (chamri), PG accommodations, working women’s hostels have become a common part of the metropolitan living.
Fresh graduates at the threshold of their career, or even the freshly settled, mainly find themselves caught in this eternal dilemma. And these women, anonymous in the cosmopolitan settings they find themselves in, don’t hesitate in exercising their sexuality.
“Bed-hopping becoming quite a common feature today, might not be a part of your personality yet can’t call it unacceptable since your surrounding company does not damn it,” says Richa Gupta, 23, an employee of Taj Hotel. “I might not be doing it but can’t negate the possibility completely because anything is possible in life. I have many friends, I know indulge in it, and I don’t mind them, since they are basically very nice human beings,” she adds.
“The concept of an available woman is something I feel needs to be demystified. No woman is available, in stead liberated with her own personal preferences, she might sleep with X and Y but not necessarily would she go ahead with Z as well. At the same time it is not necessary that she should be in love with the X and Y,” says Manjita Singh, 35, CEO of a company and single.
However, a very impressive thing about this impressively mysterious generation (inclusive of both men and women) is the attachment with their roots. Nimisha rushes down to Priyata’s flat one day (both independent, working young women). She hands over some photographs and beer bottles to Priyata since Nimisha’s mother is supposed to come from Kanpur and stay with her daughter for a week. Nimisha’s boy friend, who otherwise stays in her flat, is also supposed to move out.
Thus, independent working women often end up leading a double life. In fact, most independent women do not have much of moral compunctions in terms of male association yet are very clear about a marriage according to their family’s will.
Call these women a part of the liberated generation, a confused one, aware, or a debauched one. However, the best description would be- ‘a residue of transition.’ They are the outcome of a heterogenous bringing up: westernised open education that talks of Voltaires, Dostoevyskies, George Eliots, and Brontes, while home still preaches of composure, restrain, and all the traditional values. Is it a degeneration, in terms of morality,or an upgradation in terms of individuality? Today’s liberated woman or a bad omen for a further degeneration? It’s an open-ended debate that might hopefully settle only after a decade more.