'Mother-In-Law' Poem by Nadia umber Lodhi

In many Eastern traditional setups, joint family systems are common, where a newly married woman moves into her husband's family home. The mother-in-law holds significant authority over domestic affairs and household management. When this relationship lacks warmth or empathy, it can create a hostile environment where the daughter-in-law is subjected to emotional abuse, harsh criticism, and verbal toxicity ('sharp/barbed words') .