If we want to create a better society, start by changing men’s mindsets

 

A woman can only be truly strong if the men around her empower her. If we want to create a better society, we must start by changing men’s mindsets. 

I sat down to watch Mrs., the remake of the Malayalam movie, but switched off the TV after just half an hour. The film was simply too frustrating - it made me want to pull my hair out. Despite being educated and financially independent, why do women still endure such struggles? This question lingered in my mind, and two days later, I resumed the movie, even though I had already seen the original. Mrs. is a mirror that reflects the pervasive patriarchy in society. What’s striking is how women of nearly every generation can relate to the film. It begs the question: what has really changed about women’s status? The answer, it seems, is that most changes are merely superficial. Today, women may be educated and financially independent, but marriage often brings little real change to their lives. At its core, Mrs. isn’t just about patriarchy; it’s about the conditioning of women. From a young age, women are taught to support men and ensure their comfort, often at the expense of their own needs. A mother perpetuates patriarchy by teaching her daughter to “adjust” no matter the circumstances. A mother-in-law reinforces it by expecting her daughter-in-law to conform to the "culture" of the household—one that revolves around taking care of men and letting them lead. 

Even the popular slogan, ‘Educate a woman, and you educate an entire family,’ subtly places the responsibility of uplifting families on women. But what about men? Little will change unless they change. The real slogan should be, ‘Change a man, and you uplift the entire society - not just the family.’

A woman can only be truly strong if the men around her empower her. If we want to create a better society, we must start by changing men’s mindsets.

Mrs. is a must-watch for men. The script of Mrs reinforces patriarchy by suggesting that societal norms remain unchallenged and unchanged. A more impactful conclusion would depict men evolving or at least recognizing their unfairness toward women. Such an ending would’ve better aligned with the movie's intended message and leave a stronger, more progressive impact on its audience.