The Third Wave of Feminism in India: A Disruption of Family Values and Marriages

  • Unique Paper ID: 173085
  • Volume: 11
  • Issue: 9
  • PageNo: 2171-2174
  • Abstract:
  • The third wave of feminism in India has introduced significant ideological shifts that challenge traditional family values and marriage structures. Influenced by Western individualism, Bollywood cinema, legal frameworks like domestic violence laws, political activism, and ideological movements such as wokeism and modernization, this wave of feminism has sparked intense debates on gender roles and social stability. Bollywood movies such as "Pink" (2016) ; "Thappad" (2020) and “Mrs.” (2025) have played a crucial role in reshaping perceptions of marriage, often portraying it as an oppressive institution. Additionally, the misuse of domestic violence laws, particularly Section 498A, has led to false accusations, wrongful arrests, and growing fears among men regarding marriage. Political figures like Renuka Chowdhury have played a key role in enacting stringent gender-based laws that have often prioritized punitive measures over reconciliation. Cases such as the Atul Subhash incident further highlight the gender biases embedded within legal structures, emphasizing the need for balanced judicial reforms. Wokeism, with its emphasis on extreme inclusivity and identity politics, has contributed to the rejection of traditional gender roles and the increasing alienation between men and women. The rise of modern feminist narratives, coupled with the influence of Christian theological thought, has led to the adoption of Western ideals of personal freedom over collective familial duty. This has resulted in a decline of joint family structures and an increase in divorce rates, reflecting the cultural transformation underway. While feminism is essential for ensuring gender justice, its current trajectory risks dismantling the core values that have historically sustained Indian society. A more nuanced and culturally rooted approach to gender equality is necessary to preserve the integrity of marriage and family life while promoting genuine empowerment for women.

Copyright & License

Copyright © 2025 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

BibTeX

@article{173085,
        author = {R.Trivedi},
        title = {The Third Wave of Feminism in India: A Disruption of Family Values and Marriages},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {11},
        number = {9},
        pages = {2171-2174},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=173085},
        abstract = {The third wave of feminism in India has introduced significant ideological shifts that challenge traditional family values and marriage structures. Influenced by Western individualism, Bollywood cinema, legal frameworks like domestic violence laws, political activism, and ideological movements such as wokeism and modernization, this wave of feminism has sparked intense debates on gender roles and social stability. Bollywood movies such as "Pink" (2016) ; "Thappad" (2020) and “Mrs.” (2025)  have played a crucial role in reshaping perceptions of marriage, often portraying it as an oppressive institution. Additionally, the misuse of domestic violence laws, particularly Section 498A, has led to false accusations, wrongful arrests, and growing fears among men regarding marriage. Political figures like Renuka Chowdhury have played a key role in enacting stringent gender-based laws that have often prioritized punitive measures over reconciliation. Cases such as the Atul Subhash incident further highlight the gender biases embedded within legal structures, emphasizing the need for balanced judicial reforms. Wokeism, with its emphasis on extreme inclusivity and identity politics, has contributed to the rejection of traditional gender roles and the increasing alienation between men and women. The rise of modern feminist narratives, coupled with the influence of Christian theological thought, has led to the adoption of Western ideals of personal freedom over collective familial duty. This has resulted in a decline of joint family structures and an increase in divorce rates, reflecting the cultural transformation underway. While feminism is essential for ensuring gender justice, its current trajectory risks dismantling the core values that have historically sustained Indian society. A more nuanced and culturally rooted approach to gender equality is necessary to preserve the integrity of marriage and family life while promoting genuine empowerment for women.},
        keywords = {Third wave, Feminism, disruption of family values, Bollywood influence, wokeism, modernization, Christian thoughts.},
        month = {February},
        }

Cite This Article

  • ISSN: 2349-6002
  • Volume: 11
  • Issue: 9
  • PageNo: 2171-2174

The Third Wave of Feminism in India: A Disruption of Family Values and Marriages

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