At 15, she dropped out of school to begin training for boxing at the Sports academy. She kept her interest in boxing a secret from her father because he was afraid that boxing would hinder Kom's opportunity of marriage. She has been the only Indian woman boxer to have qualified for the 2012 summer Olympics.
She married former footballer, Karung Olner, in 2005. During this hiatus she had her three children. Kom and Olner came to an agreement that for her success Olner would become a stay at home husband so Kom could finish her boxing career.
In a letter to her three sons Kom talks about her molestation that happened one night when she went out with her friends when she was 17. She explains how her training in karate and achievements she brought to India did not help her fight off her attacker. She lets her boys know through all women accomplishments they still are only seen and glorified with their bodies. She says,"The world belongs as much to us, (women) as it does to you."
She encourages her boys to respect women through all aspects and context. She was encouraged to write this for her children because she felt if they went out into the world uninformed she would have failed her duties as a mother.
Kom makes it known that she is a strong believer in the safety of animals. She identifies with being an animal rights activist and supporter of PETA India. In her Compassion Citizen letter to the education ministers of states and union territories across India she states, "It is more important than ever that we teach lessons of respect and kindness in the classroom."
In 2017 Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports appointed Mary Kom as national observer for boxing.
Through all of Kom's accomplishments being a five-time World Amateur Boxing Champion from India is impressive because through it all she has been mother and wife fighting against the qualms of the status quo for who and what she is.
Mary Kom represents her cultural values and plans to go against what women should do, how they should dress and what they should say. Being a woman from India participating in sports that are considered to be masculine. She didn't join the career of boxing to be a pawn but to build a legacy for her boys to show them that a woman can do just the same or more than a man. Kom can resonate with many young girls from India because not many have been involve in the land of boxing, because most don't think they can or aren't allowed because of the dishonor they will bring their father if they weren't to get married.
Cited
Editors. (2017). “Mary Kon Biography”. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/mary-kom-5300.php
India Samyad. (2016). "Mary Kom Letter to Sons" http://www.indiasamvad.co.in/top-stories/mary-kom-talks-about-molestation-house-husband-chinki--16769
Editors. (2017). “Mary Kon Biography”. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/mary-kom-5300.php
India Samyad. (2016). "Mary Kom Letter to Sons" http://www.indiasamvad.co.in/top-stories/mary-kom-talks-about-molestation-house-husband-chinki--16769
Shendurnikar, Nidhi.
(2014). “Mary Kon’s story shows how man
can champion the cause of feminism” http://www.thealternative.in/society/mary-koms-story-shows-how-men-can-champion-the-cause-of-feminism-too/
I think it is great she is teaching her children about feminism. It is important for kids to be educated on this issue. I have never heard of her, but she seems like an strong women.
ReplyDeleteI loved the point about her assault as a 17 year old. Women are constantly told that they should take self-defense classes and learn ways to defend themselves. She is a great example that is isn't always enough and instead we should be teaching men not to assault.
ReplyDeleteI love the values and life lessons that she is teaching her children at such young ages. I think that it is so important for parents to connect and express these things to children so that problems can be avoided in the future. She is such a strong woman for opening up about her molestation especially due to how hard it is for some women to come forward or even talk about it. She is a person with amazing character and hopefully her children grow up to follow in her footsteps.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a valuable, notable thing that you included the dynamics of her family. From going from a adolescence of hiding her own strength because her father was afraid it would cost her a marriage, to marrying a man who chose to stay at home with their children to allow her to continue a career, Mary Kom managed an incredible work-home life balance. Her lessons to her sons, the value of sharing this world, knowing it belongs to men and women alike, is invaluable.
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