Dalit Women - Honour and Patriarchy in South India

One of the only ethnographic studies of Dalit women, this book gives a rich account of individual Dalit women's lives and documents a rise in patriarchy in the community. The author argues that as Dalits' economic and political position improves, 'honour' becomes crucial to social status. One of the ways Dalits accrue honour is by altering patterns of women's work, education and marriage, and by adopting dominant-caste gender practices. But Dalits are not simply becoming like upper castes; they are simultaneously asserting a distinct, politicised Dalit identity, formed in direct opposition to the dominant castes. They are developing their own 'politics of culture'. Key to both, the author argues, is the 'respectability' of women. This has significant effects on gender equality in the Dalit community.

List of contents

1. Introduction



2. Contextualising Dalit 'Shame'



3. Dalit Women and the Politics of Culture



4. Dalit Women's Everyday Life, Work, Kinship and Shame



5. Honour and Shame in the Madiga palli: Leela's Elopement, Possession and Marriage



6. Women's Education, Marriage, Honour and the New Dalit Housewife



7. Alcohol, Violence and Women's 'Suffering': 'Adulterer, tramp or thief, a husband is a husband'



8. Kalyani: 'Development', 'Civilisation' and 'Women's Empowerment'



9. 'Culture', 'Civilisation' and Citizenship

Product details

• Authors: Clarinda Still, Still Clarinda
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 25.06.2024
• EAN: 9781032652726
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3265272-6
• No. of pages: 268
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Social sciences (general); Ethnic Studies, Cultural Studies, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Women's Studies, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Regional Studies, POLITICAL SCIENCE / World / Asian, HISTORY / Women, India, Social discrimination & inequality, Social and cultural history, Asian History, Gender studies: women, Gender studies: women and girls, South Asia (Indian sub-continent), HISTORY / Asia / South / General, Social discrimination and social justice, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Cultural & Ethnic Studies / General