Tales Of A Lankan Tomboy

Sneakers-check. Football scores-check. Janes-check. Whether it's playing a game of cricket or keeping tabs on the latest car model, it's quite difficult for a female to get the same respect as female when it comes to certain socially gendered activities. The larger world views women from a rather narrow point of view. What's worse, in Sri Lanka, there's a widely accepted opinion on a woman's role in life that's taken way too long to be refuted. What happens when you don't fit the mould? Rehana Packeeran divulges, and calls BS.

- Rehana Packeeran

Do people constantly make these comments when they see you? Are you a fan of baseball caps and sneakers? Do you hate anything frilly? Do you live in jeans and t-shirts? Join the club.

Being a tomboy myself, I have always challenged the idea that girls are meant to act, dress and behave a certain way. If I want to do something, regardless of my gender, I will go ahead and attempt it—despite the reprimands, and perhaps insults, that are sure to follow. But, why is it an issue to be a tomboy in Sri Lanka?

Society dictates ridiculously specific rules regarding a girl’s conduct and appearance, and we have been brought up to believe that breaking those rules will make us outcasts. Girls are supposed to dress in gowns and saris, not pants and shirts. Make-up and skin care should be an integral part of our routines, and having a complete disregard toward outer appearance is sneered upon. Comfortable footwear should be left to men, while ladies have to torture their feet into fancy heels and sandals. Want to learn a sport like boxing or karate? Nope, that’s not the ‘girlish’ thing to do, so best forget about physical activity in general (unless you want to play a ‘feminine’ sport like netball or badminton. Apologies to the guys out there who do partake in the latter; it’s a hard-knock life). Some people even prefer if women don’t commit to their academic pursuits. Oh no! It’s quite alright if she doesn’t have the means for a good education or has to give up on earning the degree she’s dreamed of for years.