Living Up to Social Standards Calls For Dramatic Changes in the Afghan World

     Near the outskirts of Afghanistan, the small town of Kabul, an intrigued young girl is driven to discover the endless possibilities the world has in store for her. The ambitious Mehran Rafaat, daughter of Azita Rafaat; who works for the Afghan Parliament. Each morning Azita prepares her four daughters for school, as The New York Times states,

Mehran’s sisters put on black dresses and head scarves, tied tightly over their ponytails. For Mehran, it’s green pants, a white shirt and a necktie, then a pat from her mother over her spiky, short black hair. After that, her daughter is out the door — as an Afghan boy.

Generations in the past often describe female relatives, family or friends growing up has the opposite gender. Afghan traditions have always held a high regard for males, and are the only ones that can inherit the fathers wealth and family name. Families without boys, suffer a fate of pity and disdain, thus subject to face the social pressure of having a male heir and possibly economic needs. This rarity of girls mascaraed as boys is not only found in Afghan culture. Many have witnessed it in Chinese and Japanese cultures as well. The favoritism between genders seems like an bias disrespect to young children and the level of equality needs to be in balance. Families should learn to except the gift of their child for who they are, not for what the needs of parents. The social beliefs should not dictate family decisions when it comes to children. They are individuals just like the rest of us, and they need to have a voice of who they want to be. Perhaps this aspect of the Afghan religion should be questioned....