When Women Become Equal To Men (In A Conservative Society)

What happens when, in a conservative patriarchal culture, women become equal to men and enjoy the same rights as men?

This was the subject of discussion between and a friend and me which I was asked to post here.

So here goes.

Obviously there are some positives. A woman doesn't have to depend on the husband to go where she wants to. She can go on a vacation alone or dine alone. She can go to work, get educated just like her brother. She is not made to feel that she does nothing in life, no more listening to taunts when there is a conflict with the spouse. The pros are plenty. I won't list them all.

What are the cons of such a situation?

• A woman in such a society is protected, just like we exercise a lot of control and also protect our children. That protection, that delicate treatment of ladies first etc will no more be there. Women will be treated just like men.
• Women can not only spend their own money, they will HAVE to henceforth spend their own money to get their dresses, jewelry. For vacations, cars, houses which are held jointly with the husband, they have to contribute their share (expected to be 50:50).
• Bonding between mother and children will become lesser because fathers will now be expected to contribute equally in child rearing.
• While marriage expenses will be borne equally between both parties. alimony will cease to exist.
• No more can a girl afford to be bad at studies and still expect to have a good life by getting married. Marriage will not be a great option for girls who were "good for nothing".
• Women's focus will shift from having to look beautiful to having skills. And men will also start admiring a talented woman than an Aishwarya Rai.

So, do you want you and your spouse to be equal? Or no?