Unveiling the Gender Paradox
Dynamics of Power, Sexuality and Property in Kerala
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Beschreibung
Both nationally and internationally, the south Indian state of Kerala has been an object of study for its matrilineal kinship organization among some communities, as well as its achievements in education, literacy, and life expectancy for women against a weak economic base. Nonetheless, scholars have drawn attention to a paradox in Kerala’s model of development, namely women’s deteriorating social position in Kerala and the rise in violence against women. Against this backdrop, this book explores the intersections of gender, sexuality, marriage, family and kinship as related to the matrilineal Nayar community in Kerala. Chapters unravel the interplay between the triple categories of gender, power and social development as they play out at the micro, meso, and macro levels of society, probing the ways in which Nayar women practice agency. Ultimately, the authors explore how the strength of the Nayar community can be used as a case study toward circumventing the prevailing gender paradox and re-imagine a more liberated, empowered and self-reliant woman not only in Kerala, but in India at large.
This book will be of interest to scholars in sociology, cultural studies, gender studies, and development studies, particularly those with a focus on South Asia.
Both nationally and internationally, the south Indian state of Kerala has been an object of study for its matrilineal kinship organization among some communities, as well as its achievements in education, literacy, and life expectancy for women against a weak economic base. Nonetheless, scholars have drawn attention to a paradox in Kerala’s model of development, namely women’s deteriorating social position in Kerala and the rise in violence against women. Against this backdrop, this book explores the intersections of gender, sexuality, marriage, family and kinship as related to the matrilineal Nayar community in Kerala. Chapters unravel the interplay between the triple categories of gender, power and social development as they play out at the micro, meso, and macro levels of society, probing the ways in which Nayar women practice agency. Ultimately, the authors explore how the strength of the Nayar community can be used as a case study toward circumventing the prevailing gender paradox and re-imagine a more liberated, empowered and self-reliant woman not only in Kerala, but in India at large.
This book will be of interest to scholars in sociology, gender studies, and development studies, particularly those with a focus on South Asia.
Incorporates data from an in-depth, yearlong field study with the Nayar community Analyzes the issue of gender paradox in Kerala through an intersectional lens Contextualizes the case study within broader discourse on gender, sexuality and power
Autor*in
Lekha N.B.
Themen in »Unveiling the Gender Paradox«
India matriliny patriarchy matriarchy agency autonomy gender equality
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“Unveiling the Gender Paradox’ is a pathbreaking work of gender scholarship, the impact of which goes far beyond the field of gender studies to include development and international studies. The authors recast the ‘Kerala Model,’ asking whether it is Model, Paradox, or Enigma! Using extensive ethnographic documentation, they seek to fathom the ‘primordial strength inherent in Kerala’s matrilineal past’ in order to re-imagine empowered, self-reliant women. This study will be useful for a wide range of academics, undergraduate and graduate courses and policy makers.”
Wesley M. Shrum, Professor, Dept. of Sociology, Louisiana State University, USA
“The book takes us on a trajectory of the socio-political-cultural circumstances of Kerala, which impacted the changing nature of power relations in Nayar families. Outcome of a very well researched work, the book is truly a valuable addition to the literature on the gender paradoxes inherent in a supposedly gender equal society, especially Nayar women's autonomy.”
R. Indira, Formerly Professor & Head, Department of Sociology, University of Mysore, India, & Former President, Indian Sociological Society
“The book provides fascinating insights into the gender paradox, re-defining ‘Kerala model’ of development, placing the study at the intersections of multifarious discursive practices prevalent in the State as it embraced modernity over a period of time. The work offers multiple perspectives based on personal and collective experiences and is shaped around an ethnographic study on the matrilineal tradition of Nayar community in Kerala.”
Swapna Gopinath, Associate Professor, Symbiosis Institute of Media And Communication, Pune, India
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