https://padlet.com/habibashafa/ayxugh4arwyikxg Take a look at these pictures to understand how gender norms have played a role in my life and have shaped me! en-us 2022-05-19 16:11:47 UTC 2022-05-21 18:45:42 UTC hello@padlet.com habibashafa https://padlet.com/habibashafa/ayxugh4arwyikxg/wish/2191863961 Being Muslim is a big part of my identity. It encompasses the way I choose to live my life. This is a picture of men and women in prayer during a Ramadan event. Here, one can see the way gender affects social behavior. Due to the nature of the prayer, men and women are separated by a barrier. In a co-ed setting, men lead the prayer, hence they are in front of the women, and women stand behind. This is not to be misogynistic or sexist by any means, although people who are not well-versed in the faith may think otherwise. Instead, it represents the idea that one responsibility of a man is to protect and take care of his woman (whether it be mother, daughter, sister, wife etc.) ]]> 2022-05-19 19:05:49 UTC https://padlet.com/habibashafa/ayxugh4arwyikxg/wish/2191863961 habibashafa https://padlet.com/habibashafa/ayxugh4arwyikxg/wish/2191887480 For a long time, I struggled with wanting to wear hijab. I kept on asking myself "does covering myself make me less feminine?" But I realized a woman is not defined, contrary to hegemonic femininity and societal beauty standards, by how much skin she shows, or how appealing she looks to others. For all those who think this is oppressive, I urge them to ask themselves if oppression by one of its' definition means the taking away of power, what does that say about women who choose to cover themselves? Is a woman who covers herself not powerful? Is a woman only seen as powerful by others when she reveals her body? Why have we reduced a woman's power to such a shallow concept? The first day I put it on, I felt empowered. For us, hijab is so much more than covering our hair or "covering from men." It is entirely about submission to God, about visibly showing that I am Muslim, similar to how Muslim men observe beards. I was scared about what society would say, whether men would find me attractive, whether I could commit to such a big change in my life, and it is societal standards that had planted all this in my mind, but honestly I am so glad I chose what made me happy. ]]> 2022-05-19 19:20:23 UTC https://padlet.com/habibashafa/ayxugh4arwyikxg/wish/2191887480 habibashafa https://padlet.com/habibashafa/ayxugh4arwyikxg/wish/2191916135 This is my friend's pink shoes. He is a Pakistani male (by birth and identification) who belongs to the Desi community. And most people who are part of the desi community know how colors such as blue and pink are separated from day one, for baby boys and girls, respectively. To his family's slight dismay, he bought these shoes and wore them for some time. "Why are you wearing girl shoes" his mother would shriek. It makes us question "who made the rules?" Who said pink is a girl's color and blue, a boy's? By wearing pink shoes, he defies hegemonic masculinity which tells him to be more masculine and dominant, and look less feminine or soft.  ]]> 2022-05-19 19:47:50 UTC https://padlet.com/habibashafa/ayxugh4arwyikxg/wish/2191916135 habibashafa https://padlet.com/habibashafa/ayxugh4arwyikxg/wish/2191923240 In this picture, my female friend is dressed as a male "sheikh," or Islamic scholar. Her attire is that which sheikhs usually wear. However, contrary to popular belief in my community, sheikhas also exist. So many women are also scholars and more than capable of leading the younger generation. This picture was a fun attempt at combatting such a stereotypical issue. She actually dressed up for a play for students at a mosque, and she chose to play the part of the sheikh to show that women can do it too. Her facial expression here also has that "edge" or "swag" to it that our culture tells girls to not express. ]]> 2022-05-19 19:54:52 UTC https://padlet.com/habibashafa/ayxugh4arwyikxg/wish/2191923240 habibashafa https://padlet.com/habibashafa/ayxugh4arwyikxg/wish/2191936646 This is a picture of my father washing dishes, and choosing not to adhere to gender norms. Years back, I remember him telling me that doing chores is more of a woman's job, but after learning more, today his mindset has changed. He eagerly helps my mother in the kitchen, even when guests are around. Sometimes people find this weird, or call my mother "lucky" to have such a husband. Hearing such remarks often makes me upset, because I want these women to be able to experience this too. Why should they not? Washing dishes, among other chores, is a basic human life skill that everyone should do, regardless of gender. Even our Prophet tended to the house in whatever way he could, but culture has wrongfully enforced that it is only a woman's responsibility. ]]> 2022-05-19 20:08:04 UTC https://padlet.com/habibashafa/ayxugh4arwyikxg/wish/2191936646