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Social Stratification

Notes 3. Empowerment of women mean (Tick 3 the correct options)
(a) Socially independent (b) Economically independent
(c) Physical strong (d) Educational independent
4. Taibhaga movement was active in
(a) Andhra Pradesh (b) West Bengal
(c) Uttar Pradesh (d) Madhya Pradesh
5. Telengana movement was popular in the state of
(a) Chhatisgarh (b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Tamil Nadu (d) Andhra Pradesh

10.4 Summary
• The status of women in India is culture, region and age specific. The social status of women
in our country is a typical example of the gap between the status and role accorded to them
by the constitution and the laws, and those imposed on them by social traditions. Based on
the patriarchal institutions and values, women are socialised to be good, obedient and
sacrificing daughters, wives and daughters-in-law. They are culturally trained, through the
process of socialization, not to challenge discrimination, subordination, exploitation and
subjugation within the social structure. The extreme sense of security, protectiveness and
patrionising attitude of the males often inhibit the development of their personality and
individuality.
• A woman is placed under severe restrictions under this type of family structure and has little
or no say in decision making and is directly subordinate to her mother-in-law. Her status in
the family largely depends on her husband’s contribution to the family economy and on the
amount of dowry brought by her.
• Emanating from the normative structure of the family where the male the maintains the
continuity of the lineage, there is a strong preference for sons in most sections of Indian
society. The National Family Health Survey (1992-93) has assessed son preference in 19
populous states on aspects such as immunisation rates, period of breast feeding, prevalence
of three common childhood diseases and likelihood of treatment, prevalence of chronic
under-nutrition among children under age 4, and infant and child mortality rates.
• Status of Muslim women is not much different from the rest of the population. Though Islam
as ideology talks about gender equality and gender justice, the predominantly patriarchal
society has taken away what Islam gave to women. Like Hindu women, Muslim women too
have little role to play in the decision making process at the family level. Moreover their
mobility, specially among the higher social groups, is restricted because of the practice of
purdah and that is why their share in the workforce is much lower as compared to others.
• Women have been allowed to enter all professions. Gender issues ar emerging strongly.
Women of contemporary India have multiple roles to play at home, in office, factory,
legislature. They are fighting back. They are gradually getting a share in the political process.
The 72nd and 73rd amendment is the result of ongoing struggle of women for their rights.
They are redefining their role in the family and the larger society. They are gradually and
gradually rejecting all customs and traditions supportive of gender discrimination. The male
dominated society has decided to play it’s last card of religion and God. They have to rise
courageously even against religion and God if they create hurdle in their emanciption.
• The motivation to work among women is different from that of men. Though the main
reason appears to be ‘monetary need’ but it will be wrong to say that all women pursue a job
only with this motive. On the basis of a study of 728 working women, the important factors
in seeking jobs are poined out as : insufficient wages of husband, death of husband, illness

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