Domestic Violence, oppressed
and suppressed women, dirty mind games and negativity in amongst family
relations; as fabricated and presented in our dramas nowadays are extremely
disturbing to watch to say the least. While projection of family culture could
accomplish a successful and selling story, the distorted society image can cause
more harm than benefit to people watching it.
In almost all the serials there happens to be a central character, a woman, who
is ridiculed, humiliated, abused and is subject of domestic violence. Near the
end of the play the central character is proven right, in her logics and
character and finally she forgives people around her.
It can be argued that domestic violence is an unfortunate reality of our society
and its projection is a direct effort to stop such inhumane practice. However,
the quantity in which such images are being televised may result in a horrible
impact on society. Constant bombardment of a woman being mishandled, abused,
slapped, deceived and betrayed constantly overwhelms TV shows. This constant
bombardment and over projection at some level is making this culture socially
acceptable and may constitute a society that is immune to this type of domestic
attitude.
Another bad influence these dramas are creating is MISTRUST in relations.
Continuously portraying a mother-in-law as a negative character will create a
strong perception about the relation itself. Repeated images on betraying
husbands will create a suspicious atmosphere in each household. A young girl
watching a play filled with dirty mind games and family in-law’s politics will
never comprehend the idea that in-laws could be like her family; her
mother-in-law is like her mother and not like a filthy monster that she must
overcome and surrender.
There is no denying the fact that our society need education regarding domestic
violence and general behavior and attitude towards women and television could be
one of fastest forms to imbed that. But the mode in which such information
should be communicated is important. It’s important that these drams educate
people rather than creating an aroma of sensation.
In country like Pakistan, where for a long-time women have been wrongly
categorized as a backstage character in social and family life------ projection
of strong, independent, decision maker women would help us through this
evolutionary stage of women emancipation that our society is going through.
There is strong need to present modern Pakistani woman as an educated,
entrepreneur, business leading character to create a strong and positive image
of women in our society.
TV rating is a big incentive and probably describes why our drama culture is the
way it is. If it is true, it is not only unfortunate but is also alarming.
Although I seriously believe that culture being portrayed in our dramas is not a
true reflection of our society. The responsibility lies with our media people
and channel owners to start making dramas that may create a positive impact on
its viewers and on society as a whole.