SINGLE BY CHOICE

Reading Shagufta Naaz`s article (Oct 26) was an ego-booster for a single woman like me. Just a day back an old friend suggested to me that I should `settle down` now.

It`s true that in our society people not only think of unmarried girls as creatures waiting for their Prince Charming, but if told they`re single by choice, they consider it a face-saving statement.

However, I do not agree with the writer that 99 per cent girls think of marriage as their first priority. Today girls have become career-oriented. Treating them with such a generalisation will only dampen their spirits.

Syeda Farwa Zahra

Karachi

If a girl is comfortable being single, there should not be any problem in it. It is not bad to live without getting married as marriage is just one part of our lives, not all of it.

Sana Akhtar

Karachi

I found it a very good piece of writing, honestly representing the inner thoughts of the women who consider marriage as life`s greatest ambition or biggest goal. I agree with the writer that the single woman of today is confident and empowered to pursue a career of her choice, and can live her life on her own terms without a life partner.

There are few women in our society who believe that their identity goes far beyond the slot “the wife of”. It`s true that to choose to remain single in a society which is obsessed with marriage is a tough decision to take, but once we stop caring about other people`s opinion it becomes easy.

Wajiha Talha

Karachi

CHILDREN OF DESTINY

I am glad that Seema Raza Bokhari brought up the issue of the kind of social environment we provide to our children in her article (Oct 12, 2008).

It is right that bomb blasts and other acts of violence are weighing heavily on the minds of our children. It`s time the authorities concerned did something about it.

S. Sarwat Batool

University of Karachi

THINGS FALL APART

I really appreciate Sameera Raja for discussing an important issue in her article. She is right when she says that there is a lack of conviction that can be detected in Pakistanis. Fanaticism, sectarianism and no love for the country are some of the causes.

The government is to be blamed for a lot of things, but as a nation we are not shouldering our own responsibilities as citizens of this country. At the end of the day, it is the individual that matters, and individuals constitute a society.

Nida Rehman

Via email

I appreciate the point which Sameera Raja has raised about Pakistan Studies as a subject in her article. It`s sad that the subject is taught with particular reference to the creation of Pakistan, instead of the overall aspect of Pakistan`s history. Even present-day problems are not discussed the way they should be.

Nida Fasahat

Karachi

NAME OF THE GAME

I found S. M Shahid`s article (Oct 26, 2008) an interesting piece of writing that focused on the psyche of the people.

A lot of us think that our children will have the same qualities that their names carry or mean, but often the outcome is quite the opposite. I think the title of the article should have been `The game of the name`.

Sidra Israr

Karachi

Dateline Islamabad

Anjum Niaz has beautifully portrayed the plight of Pakistani women in her column. Many women do not have the courage to reveal the harassment they face in their offices or in their educational institutions at the hands of savage men who think women are their private property.

Syeda Bilqees Anwer Naqvi

Karachi

FLIRTING A LA MODE

I think the writer has missed the point that women too stare and flirt when they want to, and with whom they want to. They usually get away with it. The only difference is that they are much more selective about who they stare at or flirt with, whereas men do it with almost every woman who even looks reasonable. Women only give attention to the really good looking guys. The bottom line is that they do stare and flirt and should stop having double standards.

Abu Bakr Rizvi

Via email

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