In Pakistan, we seem to have a formula for successful marriages. Never mind that it hasn't exactly proven to be effective or true.
The suitability of both men and women as spouses is gauged based on a narrow criteria of looks, wealth and perceived attitudes — a criteria that diminishes their humanity and instead serves to perpetuate our culture's traditional gender roles.
But these young people are here to say that they've had it:
Like this woman who points out that rishta set-ups need to be seen as a toxic, unhealthy exercise:
And this man who feels rishta culture needs to make allowances for the to-be couple to get to know each other:
This woman says degrading women over a certain age needs to end:
This guy talked about where our obsession with appearance stems from:
This young woman's personal experience underscores the fact that that's not okay:
Do we really want to make our life decisions based on snap judgments? Read this woman's experience
This woman talks about how her personal growth is hindered by rishta culture
People on social media are speaking out against the toxic side of Pakistan's rishta culture