The Indebted Woman: Kinship, Sexuality, and Capitalism

Women, especially poor women, have become essential in the wheel of financialized capitalism. They are overrepresented as clients and managers in debt and credit markets, and the book "The Indebted Woman" explores the sexual division of debt that shapes women's bodies and subjectivities.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 19 September 2023
Publisher: Stanford University Press

Women, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, have assumed a significant role in the intricate machinery of financialized capitalism. Their involvement in managing household debt has surged globally, reaching unprecedented levels following the COVID-19 pandemic. Women are overrepresented as clients and managers across various types of loans, including subprime lending, microcredit policies, consumer loans, rent, and utilities. They are seamlessly integrated into the system, contributing to its growth and sustainability.

The book "The Indebted Woman" delves into the intricate and often overlooked roles that poor women play in shaping and consolidating debt and credit markets. Conducted over a span of two decades by Isabelle Guérin, Santosh Kumar, and G. Venkatasubramanian, the research focuses on a credit market specifically targeting women in the rural areas of east-central Tamil Nadu, India. Through a combination of ethnography, statistical surveys, and financial diaries, the authors present a comprehensive theory that goes beyond the Indian context, shedding light on how capitalism transforms womanhood and, in turn, fuels its expansion.

The findings of the study reveal that paying off debts in this context involves a significant amount of labor, often involving sexual transactions. Women are subjected to physical and emotional strain as they navigate the complex web of loan agreements and repayment terms. The authors argue that this sexual division of debt extends far beyond the Indian scenario, highlighting the broader implications of capitalism on women's lives and their agency.

The book offers a powerful critique of the systemic inequalities that perpetuate poverty and debt among women. It sheds light on the ways in which economic systems exploit and marginalize women, perpetuating cycles of debt and poverty that can be difficult to break. By exposing the mechanisms through which capitalism shapes womanhood, the authors provide a framework for understanding the broader social and economic implications of this transformation.

Furthermore, "The Indebted Woman" offers practical insights and solutions for addressing the challenges faced by women in debt. The authors propose policies and initiatives that promote gender equality, financial literacy, and social protection. They advocate for the recognition of women's economic rights and the empowerment of women as agents of change in the financial sector.

In conclusion, "The Indebted Woman" is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on the crucial yet often invisible roles that poor women play in the world of financialized capitalism. Through a comprehensive analysis of the Indian context, the book offers a broader understanding of the ways in which capitalism transforms womanhood and fuels its growth. It provides a powerful critique of the systemic inequalities that perpetuate poverty and debt among women and offers practical solutions for promoting gender equality and social justice. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of debt, gender, and capitalism in today's world.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503636316