A peculiar thought struck me recently: across species and societies, males often chase females. From humans to animals, this dynamic seems almost universal. History is littered with wars fought over women—Helen of Troy, the abduction of Sita in the Ramayana, or even modern conflicts rooted in patriarchal control. But what’s striking is how society equates women to diamonds, labeling them "precious" yet stripping them of the very strength diamonds symbolize. This paradox reveals a darker truth: women’s objectification, perpetuated by capitalist greed and cultural norms, systematically erodes their intrinsic worth. Let’s unravel this contradiction.
The Diamond Analogy: A Flawed Comparison
Diamonds are celebrated for their rarity, durability, and brilliance. Society similarly glorifies women as "gems" to be protected, admired, or fought for. But unlike diamonds, women are denied agency over their own value. A diamond’s worth is static—it doesn’t diminish if it’s owned, traded, or displayed. Women, however, face a shifting valuation system. Their "worth" hinges on external validation: beauty, marital status, or compliance with patriarchal expectations. This hypocrisy is no accident. Capitalist systems exploit this duality. Fashion brands, beauty industries, and media conglomerates profit by selling women the idea that their value lies in appearance, while simultaneously framing them as passive objects of desire.
The Dowry Dilemma: A Case Study in Devaluation
Consider the life cycle of an unmarried woman. She may attract countless suitors vying for her attention, offering grand gestures without expecting reciprocity. But once she marries, the script flips. Suddenly, she—or her family—must pay dowry to "compensate" the groom’s family. What caused this drastic shift? Where did her perceived value vanish? The answer lies in transactional patriarchy. Before marriage, she symbolizes status—a trophy to be won. After marriage, she becomes a liability unless she pays to "prove" her worth. This duality exposes how society reduces women to commodities: their value peaks during youth and desirability but plummets once they enter a system that demands financial or social "payment" for their place in it.
Beauty vs. Skill: The Gendered Hierarchy of Worth
Women are conditioned to prioritize aesthetics over substance. From childhood, girls learn that their appeal—clothing, makeup, body shape—determines their social currency. Men, meanwhile, are taught to build careers, hone skills, and assert authority. This imbalance isn’t incidental; it’s engineered. When women internalize the belief that their looks define their worth, they inadvertently surrender power. A man’s value grows with achievements; a woman’s "expires" with age. The beauty industry thrives on this insecurity, selling products to "fix" perceived flaws, while society dismisses women who reject these norms as "unambitious" or "unfeminine."
The Cycle of Exploitation: Who Benefits?
Capitalism and patriarchy are co-conspirators. Consider the entertainment industry: actresses are cast for youth and beauty, while male actors dominate well into old age. Fashion brands market "empowerment" through high heels and diets, reducing feminism to a consumer trend. Even education and career opportunities for women are framed as "bonuses" to their primary role as wives and mothers. This system benefits men and corporations: men retain societal dominance, while industries profit from women’s endless pursuit of validation.
Breaking the Illusion: Can Women Reclaim Their Value?
The solution isn’t for women to reject beauty or romance but to reject the framework that ties their worth to it. When a diamond is mined, its value isn’t determined by how it’s displayed but by its inherent qualities. Similarly, women must be valued for their intellect, resilience, and humanity—not their utility to others. This requires systemic change: dismantling dowry cultures, holding media accountable for toxic stereotypes, and redefining success beyond marriageability.
Final Thoughts
Society’s obsession with controlling women’s bodies and choices isn’t just regressive—it’s illogical. If women are truly "precious," why must they constantly prove it? The diamond analogy crumbles under scrutiny because women are not objects to be appraised. They are living, evolving beings whose value cannot—and should not—be measured by patriarchal yardsticks. Until we stop conflating objectification with admiration, the cycle of exploitation will continue.
