In a patriarchial society such as India, some traditions and beliefs run deeper than others. Since, childhood, boys are taught to be the ones who do not cry or are not supposed to cry.
This video under #VogueEmpower campaign takes the path less travelled by highlighting the societal barriers and rules for boys to not express themselves or cry but suddenly the narrative changes into domestic violence. Madhuri Dixit wraps up the video and highlights the pressing issue of domestic violence and the need to teach boys 'not to hurt others' instead of 'not to cry'.
'Start With The Boys', a short film directed by Vinil Mathew and produced by Alex Kuruvilla, Managing Director, Conde Nast India, makes a powerful point about domestic violence. #VogueEmpower
The flip side: So, does asking the boys to hold themselves in check under emotional circumstances turn them into perpetrators of domestic violence or should the society ask boys to express themselves emotionally, which may result in them respecting dignity of women and understanding healthy emotional relationships?
Whatever the case, the video has some good points too.
1. Domestic violence is everywhere: It transcends societal arrangement of class and exists everywhere.
2. The change in attitude: respecting women, rights to their own body starts with creating awareness and teaching boys about gender equality since childhood.
3. Boys don't cry is rephrased to boys dont make girls cry. Why should a woman's happiness be linked to a man and based on his behaviour towards her? The video just breaks couple of stereotypes to re-instate them all over again.