Television host Aftab Iqbal expressed that marriage is the cure to mental illness on his television show.
If the concept of wives having to ‘fix their husbands’ wasn’t bad enough, one television anchor just endorsed marriage as the cure to mental illness. We’re not sure how he arrived at this conclusion, despite having no experience in psychology and psychiatry.
Another day, another misogynistic moment on national TV.
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What Happened?
Aftab Iqbal made this remark on AAP News comedy show Khabarzar on April, 13th.
Not only is this an example of irresponsible remarks by a public figure, this also reflects the lack of understanding of mental illness in Pakistan.
Even so, how can anyone make that leap from a woman’s relationship status and her health? In fact, he added fuel to the fire by adding that mental illness occurs when women opt to pursue careers instead of marriage. He blatantly stated ‘that’s what happens when you go against nature’.
Perhaps the TV show host isn’t aware that women also contribute to Pakistan’s economy significantly. That’s quite a prehistoric mindset.
This rational as to why women should not have financial independence is an example of casual sexism. It’s so normalized now that most people will brush this incident with Aftab Iqbal as just him expressing his opinion.
Being a public figure means exercising restraint and responsibility, a fact that is lost on some of our TV show hosts and anchors.
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How events unfolded
Comedy show Khabarzar usually dramatizes events pertaining to social issues or current affairs and then the host then enlightens everyone with his information on those issues.
On episode 50 the show took up the issue of phony spiritual leaders which then led to the host’s views on mental illness.
While transitioning between fake faith healers and a single woman’s mental illness, the host went as far as to say that the woman is:
“31 years and not married. Then they complain she makes noises and gets taken over by djinns. This is a pure case of hysteria. You wretched women and your obsession with your careers… this is what happens when you disturb nature.”
The woman’s on-screen brother then responds with further misogyny that his sister is too busy attending International workshops to consider marriage (to busy being successful).
“Instead of having her attend workshops every other day, get her married.”
The host then advises the brother to get his 31-year-old adult sister married.
To sum it up, here are a couple of things the comedy show host exhibited that day:
- His Ignorance on the subject of mental illness
- Lack of serious attitude on mental illness as opposed to physical illness (would you suggest marriage as a cure to some with arthritis?)
- Sexism and prejudice towards working women (women can attend International workshops)
- Reinforcing the stereotype that marriage and careers are incompatible for women.
- the medieval thinking that women are meant for the home and kitchen, while men belong to the outside world.
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Social Media Reactions
This being the 21st century, thankfully not everyone has the same archaic views like Aftab Iqbal here:
Mashallah, Aftab Iqbal raising awareness on mental disorders by showing a 31 yr old woman who is suffering from "hysteria" because she is single at that age. Career aspirations meddling with nature. "Shadi karao" is the solution apparently. It's 2019 @AAPNews, stop the jahalat.
— Imran Khan (@iopyne) April 13, 2019
This man decided to go straight to the source:
But Aftab Iqbal is married. What’s the reason for his hysteria? #theyellowwallpaper #1891 #charlotteperkinsgilman https://t.co/cv1WrnPbJs
— SGul (@Shiringul) April 14, 2019
ایسے مسائل کا حل اگر اچھے سائکیٹرسٹ کی بجائے اس "آفتاب ڈگڈگی والا بندر اقبال" سے مانگیں گے
ایسے بھدے لطیفے ہی سامنے آئیں گے— Waqas (@Wacas) April 14, 2019
We agree with Naureen here:
I saw part of this episode this morning. The 31 yrs old girl with 'hysteria' works in an IT firm and travels abroad to attend workshops, says the brother. To which Aftab Iqbal says iski workshops band karayain aur iski shadi karayain. #Misogyny https://t.co/4oTWwPrPiQ
— Farah Naureen (@f_naureen) April 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/f_naureen/status/1117330890890387456
People do have an understanding about mental illness works, and the science behind it:
Now pchychological illnesses will be treated by marriage. Please watch this :- @AftabIqbalPK_ diagnosed “Hysteria” and suggested “Marriage” as solution. Blamed Careers as root cause of the disease @pemrapakistan https://t.co/LyOg06DVir
— Samrina Hashmi (@samrinahashmi) April 14, 2019
The only hormones implicated in severe depression are serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Whether it's a female or male.
Oxytocin can help produce feelings of love/closeness but it isn't a solution. 'hysteria' has not been considered a mental illness for centuries now— Shafique (@jennabahadur) April 14, 2019
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