Sensitivity- Certain Uncertainty

When my husband first heard of the topic I was going to discuss this week, he in atypical style came and said, so you are going to tell us about ‘daanto’ ki sensitivity. I smiled and asked him to wait for the series to unravel if for nothing it puts a mystical air around it. However, I knew this question would have crossed many minds. So to put the record straight, No. I am not going to talk about any food-related sensitivity but focus on behavioural induced insensitivity or 

Those in the business circle are well aware of sensitivity as an organizational concept, mathematicians use sensitivity analysis, medicos uses sensitivity in testing for disease, engineers use it as an indicator for reaction to stimuli, Conflict- sensitive reporting, aims at reducing conflict by sensitive and ethical reporting. The list is endless and so is the usage. Despite the vast scope of the word, what is it that makes the understanding and execution of sensitivity limited? 

I think we will need to take a trip down the memory lanes for this.  Some glimpses are, “No time to sulk, it’s a dog eat dog world.” “Toughen up.” “You are overreacting.” “You think too much.” And then there are stereotypes, “boys don’t cry!”; ‘girls don’t laugh loudly’ something about Indians and snake charmers, body shaming, class, caste, you name it you have it.

Most of them seem harmless but when they are looked at in its entirety, they paint a picture of our society which is much worse than any or all human right violations put together. The stereotypes breed contempt and since they are ingrained from an early age, they are very difficult to unlearn.

 SSR’s demise, Hathras rape case, Pandemic, the state of absolute chaos, has brought forth the growing levels of insensitivity in professions and people. Unfortunately, insensitivity is not an end in itself, it also gives rise to apathy, anger and rage.

My usual M.O. for most of my weekly issues is to approach the issues from various perspectives including different discipline. However sensitivity I feel has a lot to do with power dynamics and will cover it from that perspective.  I will deliberate on topics like oversensitive or too touchy or is it a way for people to shut down discomfort arising from the difficult question.  

Quite often I find myself wondering what kind of world have I brought my children into?  The need of the hour is to be sensitive, compassionate and empathetic. Our society needs it to be a much safer zone for our children. We don’t need a world where we are constantly looking over our shoulders in anticipation, fear and distrust. We need sensitivity to feel safe and create a safer environment for all. We owe it to the next generation. 

 

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