Accidental Feminism: Gender Parity and Selective Mobility among India's Professional Elite

Elite law firms in India provide a surprising oasis for women in a hostile, predominantly male industry. Accidental Feminism examines how underlying mechanisms such as gendered socialization, essentialism, family structures, and firm and regulatory histories afford certain professionals egalitarian outcomes that are not available to their local and global peers. It suggests that parity arises not from a commitment to create feminist organizations but from structural factors that incidentally come together to do gender differently.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 288 pages
\n Publication date: 12 January 2021
\n Publisher: Princeton University Press
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In India, a surprising oasis for women exists within the predominantly male-dominated elite law firms. Despite the fact that less than 10 percent of lawyers in the country are female, women are notably represented at entry and partnership levels in the most prestigious firms. Elite workspaces are often known for their unwelcoming nature to newcomers, which begs the question: what enables aberrant outcomes in certain workspaces?

Drawing from extensive observations and in-depth interviews with over 130 elite professionals, Accidental Feminism delves into the intricate mechanisms that afford certain professionals egalitarian outcomes, which are not readily accessible to their local and global peers. By juxtaposing findings on the legal profession with those on elite consulting firms, Swethaa Ballakrishnen reveals that parity arises not from a deliberate commitment to establish feminist organizations but rather from structural factors that inadvertently come together to do gender differently.

While conditional convergence may lead to equality in ways that more targeted efforts fail to achieve, it is important to note that "accidental" developments are challenging to replicate and are, in this case, reinforced by embedded inequalities. Ballakrishnen examines whether gender parity achieved without institutional sanction should still be considered feminist.

In offering fresh perspectives on equality movements and outcomes, Accidental Feminism challenges readers to critically evaluate the role of intention in progress narratives. By shedding light on the unintended consequences of various factors, this book provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of gender equality and offers new avenues for thinking about achieving true gender parity in various industries and societies.

\n Weight: 422g\n
Dimension: 235 x 155 x 19 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780691182537\n \n