The Growing Divide

Two years back, I had a friend who was deeply engrossed in psychology. Whenever someone disagreed with her, she acted as if they had unleashed a psychological crisis. The reality is that this behavior has become quite common. Many individuals are now championing various global causes on social media, often feigning a commitment to them.

However, the truth is that genuine concern for a cause goes beyond mere posts. Sharing on Instagram doesn’t make one a savior. My friend had made it her life's goal to advocate for feminism.

Every discussion inevitably circled back to feminism. Initially, I had no issues with that—everyone is entitled to their own perspective. But everything changed during a group discussion when she forgot that I wasn’t one to remain silent in the face of harmful ideas (yes, that’s me). The conversation quickly spiraled into toxicity.

At first, I was merely a spectator. Yet, as the debate intensified, it turned sour. Some of her statements compelled me to speak up: She declared, "If a woman cheats, it's her right." I responded, "Yes, cheating may not be illegal, but there's a significant distinction between legality and morality. Just because something is lawful doesn't make it ethical."

Then she asserted, "No one desires to be a housewife; women only choose that path out of necessity." I interjected again. "I understand that in some less progressive areas, certain women may have had limited opportunities for education and ended up as housewives. However, as a psychology student, making such broad statements is misguided. You are overlooking women who willingly embrace the role of housewife. And let me emphasize, being a housewife is no easy feat—it deserves equal admiration."

Things might have remained civil if one of our friends hadn’t brought up men's rights. That’s when she crossed a line, making sweeping statements like "all men are alike" and other remarks that I won’t even repeat because they were too extreme. I simply stared at her in silence, realizing there was no point in trying to change her perspective. Yet, she seemed to sense my disappointment in her views. The atmosphere grew tense, and then our college took a break. Afterward, neither of us made an effort to reconnect.

Here's my takeaway: If you profess to care about a cause, take a moment to reflect on whether your concern is genuine or merely a trendy label. If you do care, take concrete actions. Your social media posts will not transform the world—believe me, not even a little.

Section 1.1: The Triggering Statement

The pivotal moment occurred when a seemingly innocent comment ignited an intense debate.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Cheating Debate