Re: Running away is seen as such a bad thing in desi culture…
For discussion’s sake, let’s say we’re talking about a girl who has a family where she’s being unfairly controlled by parents, being denied basic rights such as education, and is in a situation where she’s being forced to marry a man against her will. Her mother/siblings can not protect her against a father who has no interest in his daughter’s physical/emotional well being. In a situation like this, a sudden action by the daughter is the best move.
A woman should not worry about what the community thinks of her or her parents when she’s in a situation that puts her physical/emotional well-being in danger. We all need to ensure that we’re in a safe enviornment where we are not being forced to do things against our will (ie. forced marriage for example). There is no reward for sacrificing your life just so the desi community won’t talk bad about you.