The Damaging Effects Of Societal Pressure

Reading books is a wonderful way to expand one's knowledge and understanding of the world. For me, books are a rich source of education and inspiration. They open my eyes to fascinating information, different cultures, and histories of other countries. Books are so amazing. Each page of a book has something to offer.

"I will marry when I want; Nobody will force me into it!" states Gathoni.

The above line is from Nguigi Wa Thiongo’s “I Will Marry When I Want". The literal interpretation of the above phrase is that marriage is a personal decision, a choice that should be made on personal terms. People should not be pressured to make a life-changing decision simply to conform to societal expectations or satisfy a certain culture or concept. One should be allowed to marry (or be in a relationship), if and only if one chooses to do so.

The book takes us on a profound exploration of colonialism and the struggle for independence. Although the book focuses on issues that existed during the colonial era, the title is a motif in today's world. No one should be forced into anything. In my opinion, that’s the proper way to live life. Sometimes the pressure to meet certain expectations can lead people to make choices that end up hurting them in the long run. It is important to not let society dictate our happiness.

It is very important for people to understand that relationships are complicated. Relationships go beyond the confines of having a partner, chatting all day, texting, and the pleasures of physical intimacy. Relationships are about commitment, love, endurance, and trust. They require a level of emotional maturity that acknowledges the importance of trust, honesty, and empathy, and is willing to withstand the storms of life, together.

In today’s world, society places emphasis on being in a relationship. It would be great if the focus was healthy relationships, however, the reverse is the case. Society places emphasis on people being in a relationship where everything is smooth, especially financially. This pressure has made people do a whole lot of dangerous things.

It is really sad to see that people, especially teenagers are troubled by the pressure coming from society. Instead of focusing on growth, independence, financial stability, and the like, the youth today are more concerned with getting themselves a “standard” relationship. Society makes people think that if you are not in a relationship with a rich person, you are not living the life. This pressure affects both genders.

Nowadays, guys are pressured by the desire to become financially rich quickly. So sorry often draws a parallel between relationships and financial status. This is really challenging for those who are not financially stable. As a guy, if you’re not financially doing well, it will be really difficult for you to find a girl. Unfortunately , this pressure sometimes leads guys into fraudulent activities only to meet up with these expectations. It's really disheartening to hear about people getting involved in cases of fraud, theft, and even human and drug trafficking.

Last semester, my semester was on fire with talk of a theft case that shook the social sphere to its core. A 300 level student broke into a local shop and stole a wig. According to him, it was his girlfriend's birthday and he wanted to make her happy. Society really expects so much from people- both genders.

Society also puts pressure on women to find a wealthy partner. It is sad to hear stories of ladies getting used by men all because they want a wealthy partner. So, they start jumping from one man to another, looking for golden fishes. By doing so, they end up getting in terrible situations.

For me, I’d never bow to the expectations and pressure of society. I will get into a relationship when I want, not because of the pressure from society. It is important to always prioritize your own happiness and make decisions about relationships based on your own desires, not because of anything else.

This is my submission to the Inleo prompt suggestion for the month of April. The topic is: Are you 💞,❤️or 💔? What do you thing about specific kind of relationships?