Professor Matuknath, who taught Hindi in Patna, hasn’t faded from television screen ever since his disgrace that was beamed live into our drawing room (and the subsequent redemption) in the first week of July.
The 55-year-old professor and his relationship with his student-girlfriend Julie was lapped up by channels. First his wife beat up his girl friend Julie, who is barely 25, after she found them together. The poor professor’s face was blackened publicly and the entire nation watched it on most of the channels. He was taken to police station.
Julie remained adamant that her love was divine and media morality shouldn’t guide the lives of people. Then the stories of Matuknath and Julie forgetting the humiliation and going on a joyride in a rickshaw in Patna appeared and television channels showed it again. The anchors were surprised that they were not apologetic and hadn’t run away, rather moving around freely. The reports were repeated every hour through out the day.
The ‘odd-couple’ went to a Shopping Mall and that was also on all channels. Psychologists were called, panel interviews were held and impact of such a relationship on society was discussed. However, that was not the end of Matuknath’s saga.
He returend to college after all humiation and surprise, the students had a sudden change of heart and they took him to the class on their shoulders. They claimed victory for his love. Stories about his NRI son criticising his father (his LIVE interview) were telecast meanwhile.
That was not the end as the class in BN College where Matuknath devoted the period to love and Julie was seen sitting among students, was aired on most channels. Special 30 min-1 hr long programmes were shown on Ajtak, Star, Sahara, ETV, NDTV, CNN IBN, India TV and all national channels.
But then the college administration felt it was too risky to let Matuknath continue as professor. He was suspended due to ‘infamy’ he brought to the college. But then the lovebirds reached Lalu Prasad Yadav who blessed their love. This was also a NEWS.
Devoid of real issues the media groups boosted their TRPs focussing on this affair. The voyeuristic instincts of the viewers that have already grown an appetite for such stories thanks to soap opera news culture of these channels were catered well.
For a fortnight the love affair has been explored with all angles. The magazine Matuk and Julie brought out, its special issue on marriage and their views. But this doesn’t seem to end. Some praise Julie for her courage and dedication to the Professor, rest are just enjoying a peek in other’s life–humiliation, disgrace, broken family, allegations and counter allegations. Now Julie-Matuknath fan clubs have sprung up and this just doesn’t seem to end. They are now celebrities created by media. Isn’t it enough? One wonders how long this coverage will continue.
What’s more, men who tie the knot with older women are more likely to die early, the study at Germany’s Max Planck Institute found.
According to the research, blokes cut the risk of premature death by 11 per cent if their wives are seven to nine years younger, reports The Daily Express.
The figure rises to 20 per cent for men who marry women between 15 and 17 years younger.
Scientists reckon that the figures may be the result of natural selection – that only the healthiest, most successful older men are able to attract younger mates.
“Another theory is that a younger woman will care for a man better and therefore he will live longer,” said institute spokesman Sven Drefahl.
However, when it comes to women, the results showed that ladies benefit from marrying a man of the same age.
Wives with husbands older or younger by between seven and nine years increase their chances of dying early by 20 percent.
This rises to 30 percent if the age difference is close to 15 and 17 years.
What’s more, men who tie the knot with older women are more likely to die early, the study at Germany’s Max Planck Institute found.
According to the research, blokes cut the risk of premature death by 11 per cent if their wives are seven to nine years younger, reports The Daily Express.
The figure rises to 20 per cent for men who marry women between 15 and 17 years younger.
Scientists reckon that the figures may be the result of natural selection – that only the healthiest, most successful older men are able to attract younger mates.
“Another theory is that a younger woman will care for a man better and therefore he will live longer,” said institute spokesman Sven Drefahl.
However, when it comes to women, the results showed that ladies benefit from marrying a man of the same age.
Wives with husbands older or younger by between seven and nine years increase their chances of dying early by 20 percent.
This rises to 30 percent if the age difference is close to 15 and 17 years.
When it comes to feelings of inadequacy at home and at workplace, ladies suffer more than men. (Getty Images) |
US researchers.
According to a study of 288 adults, when it comes to feelings of inadequacy at home and at workplace, ladies suffer more than men.
Authors of the study, which has been published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, claim that such perfectionism can have a negative effect on the work-life balance.
The study’s volunteers had to work at least 20 hours a week and have family commitments, reports The BBC.
Most people were married and 80 percent had at least one child living at home.
Statements included in the questionnaire included: “the time I spend with my families interferes with my work responsibilities”; and “when I get home from work I am usually too frazzled to participate in family activities”.
In the study, respondents were categorised into those who set themselves very high standards but felt they did not meet them, those who set high personal standards and were happy with their performance, and non-perfectionists.
At work, 38 percent of women did not feel they met the high standards they set themselves, compared with 24 percent of men, the study found.
When it came to home and family life, 30 percent of women felt they were failing to meet the standards they wanted to compared with 17 percent of men.
Study author Dr Jacqueline Mitchelson, assistant professor in psychology at Auburn University in Alabama, said: “None of the research I’ve seen which splits perfectionism into groups has found a gender difference so it was completely unexpected.
“I’m not sure where it comes from, and we need more research.”
Professor Cary Cooper, an expert in organisational psychology and health at Lancaster University, said women often felt blameworthy when juggling work and home commitments.
“They have what we call the double shift – trying to juggle working and competing at work and then carrying out duties at home with men only helping at the margins.
“They then feel guilty that they’re not doing well at work because of home commitments and they’re not doing well at home because of work commitments.”
He added: “Women suffer from perfectionism. They tend to be more conscientious, working to 100 percent.”
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