Women in Contemporary India: Traditional Images and Changing Roles

The problem of social change in South Asia has been neglected, with little data on women's social and economic variables. This book offers a fresh perspective on women and social change through empirical studies of the interaction between traditional images and new social roles.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 15 January 2024
Publisher: Manohar Publishers and Distributors

Social change in South Asia's largely traditional societies has been extensively studied by sociologists, but the implications of change for women's roles in these societies in transition have been largely overlooked. The Report of the Committee on the Status of Women in India highlights the lack of data on important social and economic variables affecting the personality structure and patterns of social behavior of Indian women. This groundbreaking book provides a fresh perspective on women and social change through empirical studies of the interaction between traditional images of women and their new social roles in the family and wider society. The first section of the book provides an overview of the actual situation of women in India and outlines a realistic scenario for the integration of women in the process of national development.

The book explores the various factors that contribute to women's marginalization in South Asia, including gender inequality, patriarchy, and cultural norms. It highlights the ways in which these factors have been perpetuated over time and have led to the exclusion of women from key social, economic, and political institutions. The book also examines the ways in which women have responded to these challenges and have sought to assert their rights and improve their status.

One of the key findings of the book is that women's roles in the family and the wider society are often contradictory and complex. While women are expected to be caregivers and homemakers, they are also expected to work outside the home and contribute to the family's income. This can lead to a conflict between work and family responsibilities, which can have negative consequences for women's health and well-being.

The book also highlights the ways in which women's roles in the family and the wider society have been changing in recent years. Women have become more educated and have gained access to new job opportunities, which has led to increased economic independence. However, women's participation in the workforce has also been accompanied by increased gender-based violence and discrimination.

The book also explores the ways in which women can be empowered to play a more active role in the process of social change. It suggests that women's empowerment can be achieved through a combination of social, economic, and political measures. Social measures include promoting gender equality in education, employment, and politics, while economic measures include providing access to credit and financial services. Political measures include promoting women's representation in government and ensuring that women's voices are heard in decision-making processes.

The book also provides a number of case studies that illustrate the impact of social change on women's lives. These case studies include women who have been involved in social movements, women who have started their own businesses, and women who have been elected to political office. These case studies demonstrate that women can be successful in achieving their goals and that social change can have a positive impact on their lives.

However, the book also notes that there are still many challenges that women face in South Asia. These challenges include gender-based violence, discrimination, and lack of access to education and healthcare. The book suggests that these challenges can be addressed through a combination of social, economic, and political measures.

In conclusion, the problem of social change in South Asia's largely traditional societies has been the focus of wide ranging studies by sociologists, yet the implications of change for the place of women in the social, cultural, economic and political life of these societies in transition is a neglected field of sociological inquiry. The Report of the Committee on the Status of Women in India notes the ‘paucity of data on important social and economic variables affecting the presonality structure and patterns of social behavior of Indian women. This landmark book offers a fresh perspective on women and social change through empirical studies of the interaction between the traditional images of women and their new social roles in the family and the wider society. The first section of the book provides an overview of the actual situation of women in India and outlines a realistic scenario for the integration of women in the process of national development. The book explores the various factors that contribute to women's marginalization in South Asia, including gender inequality, patriarchy, and cultural norms. It highlights the ways in which these factors have been perpetuated over time and have led to the exclusion of women from key social, economic, and political institutions. The book also examines the ways in which women have responded to these challenges and have sought to assert their rights and improve their status. One of the key findings of the book is that women's roles in the family and the wider society are often contradictory and complex. While women are expected to be caregivers and homemakers, they are also expected to work outside the home and contribute to the family's income. This can lead to a conflict between work and family responsibilities, which can have negative consequences for women's health and well-being. The book also highlights the ways in which women's roles in the family and the wider society have been changing in recent years. Women have become more educated and have gained access to new job opportunities, which has led to increased economic independence. However, women's participation in the workforce has also been accompanied by increased gender-based violence and discrimination. The book also explores the ways in which women can be empowered to play a more active role in the process of social change. It suggests that women's empowerment can be achieved through a combination of social, economic, and political measures. Social measures include promoting gender equality in education, employment, and politics, while economic measures include providing access to credit and financial services. Political measures include promoting women's representation in government and ensuring that women's voices are heard in decision-making processes. The book also provides a number of case studies that illustrate the impact of social change on women's lives. These case studies include women who have been involved in social movements, women who have started their own businesses, and women who have been elected to political office. These case studies demonstrate that women can be successful in achieving their goals and that social change can have a positive impact on their lives. However, the book also notes that there are still many challenges that women face in South Asia. These challenges include gender-based violence, discrimination, and lack of access to education and healthcare. The book suggests that these challenges can be addressed through a combination of social, economic, and political measures.

Dimension: 200 x 140 x 40 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9788194352181