Women all around the world face different kinds of discrimination and suffering which varies from region to region and culture to culture. Among them, one issue is the status of widows.
The status of widows has not been considerably studied and explored in many societies. A widow faces many problems and constraints in her daily life. A common practice is that she is not allowed to fully participate in public life and enjoy it.
Impact of Widowhood on Women
The grief of losing a loved one is one of the most unbearable, traumatic, and stressful incident of an individual’s life. Particularly, in the case of a woman who lost her husband.
Different researchers have done work on bereavement and grief faced by widows at various periods. Though, widowhood is more likely to occur at an elderly age but it does not mean that it lowers psychological and physical affect. Entering widowhood can affect mental health and cause a decline in physical health.
Widowhood affects men and women differently. Within two years of the spouse’s death, the widow or widower faces high depression, low self-esteem, and a short-term decline in health. There are chances for widowed people to cut themselves socially with less social participation and few may face untimely death.
Widows in Bible
Widows in Christianity are especially discussed in different places. A widow along with orphans, in the Bible are often represented as a marginalized group. They are represented as dependent on others without any primary economic support.
The Bible highlights the hardships a widow can experience in terms of food and shelter. It is the reason that the Lord has repeatedly mentioned widows and directed people to take care of them in every possible means. Supporting them is considered as doing the utmost justice to society.
Commands in Old and New Testaments
Widows in Christianity are replete in the Bible. God has shown his concern through different commands. In the Psalm a person is described as “…the God who in his holy dwelling place is the father of the fatherless and the defender of widows” (Ps. 68:5).
It is further stated that “…God is in his holy temple. He is a father to those whose fathers have died. He takes care of women whose husbands have died” (Ps. 68:5).
In both testaments, people are directed in the Bible to protect widows’ rights and care for them as God has ordered. The relatives of a widow, her father, brother or son are also subject to fulfill her needs. Ignoring their rights is considered as straying from the Lord and his commands.
Remarriage of Widows
Widows in Christianity are free to marry after they lose their husbands.
According to the Bible, “…a woman (a wife) is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord (1 Corinthians 7: 39).
These directions are given to fulfill the need for companionship especially if a widow has no children who can care for her when she is old. On the other hand, a widow can choose not to marry. It depends if she needs someone or not. No one can force her against her will.