For context: I am writing this piece from the point of view of a girl in a brown parent household.

For context: I am writing this piece from the point of view of a girl in a brown parent household.

I just want to know when this shift happened. Growing up, we were always allowed to wear shorts as kids, whether it was to go down to play or just escape the heat during the summer. It was never seen as anything vulgar, nobody gave you looks or even gave a second thought about the fact that you’re wearing shorts. But somewhere along the way, that changed.

I am a 21 year old living with my parents and everytime I wear shorts now, I am stared up and down and questioned. “Is it really necessary to wear this right now?”, “Go inside and change, the cook and maid are coming”. “She is wearing a jetty (underwear) and roaming around”. These are the comments that get passed everytime I walk out of my room wearing shorts .

I dont know at what age this shift started taking place, I can’t point out a particular day or moment. It just happened. I once felt free wearing shorts and now I can’t wear it without somehow disappointing my dad, who is sometimes extra concerned as to where I am heading anytime he sees me in shorts.

It’s not fair. When guys wear shorts nobody thinks twice, but somehow when I do, even the neighbour auntie gives me an extra look and I feel the need to pull it down. I hate that the gaze changed one fine day and it went from being normal to feeling like a stranger in your own skin.