Page 57 - DSOC402_SOCIOLOGY_OF_KINSHIP_ENGLISH

Unit 7: Approaches to the Study of Kinship: Gender Perspective

In case of the tribes of Central India, women help men with all the work and share equal rights. Notes
But this does not mean that the status of women is good. On the contrary, keeping in view the
limits of their physical capacity and their responsibilities related to motherhood, such a condi-
tion of woman puts them in a position which proves to be a curse for them. As has been told
about the Andaman Island-dwellers, the likelihood of labour and social interaction, in fact, be-
comes a burden for women.
The above mentioned reference of the Indian tribes regarding the status of women is not based
on inferiority related to women or a blot of incapability. The impure conditions that women
have to endure and the restrictions which they fear, are widely known to people too. In the
upper-societies, the position of women is quite helpless and slave-like. The position of women
from the lower societies is like that of tribal women. The absence of rights does not mean sub-
mission, just as their presence does not mean they are active.
Even when we see those women who are said to be independent and who indulge in free sex;
we find cruel behaviour of men towards them, who desert them. The women are found com-
promising with the cruel behaviour of men. Even under such circumstances, when there is the
possibility of divorce, they are rarely able to do so. The ‘Ho’ take care of their ‘wives’ comforts,
yet there have been cases when the wives were compelled to commit suicide.
In some societies, the status of women is linked to child-bearing and bringing them up. They are
always respected as mothers, and are taken special care of. Because of it, infertility in women has
been considered as a blot in all the castes and tribes.
In some cases, infertile women have been considered as anti socials. The ‘Ho’ women who are
childless and unmarried (because of the prevalence of high bride value) are termed as ‘witches’.
In India with reference to the Indian Ethnelogy, the status of women can be understood when
compared to religion. Some writers say that the inferior status of women is due to the domi-
nance of Partilineage over Matrilineage. But in South India, there has been no odd. effects on the
status of women due to such a clash. The stringent rules mentioned in the ‘Brahmani Shastras’
do not effect the women of law castes or tribes. The ideology of ‘Ardhangini’ for the Brahmin
Wives, mentioned in the ‘Shastras’ is not enforced on the women (tribal and low caste).

7.3 Summary

• In the various societies, the gender relations have different forms in the historical period,
caste groups and other groups, social class and generations.
• From sexual labour division at home to the labour market in management of state, in sexual
emotion and in many parts of social organisation, sexual relations are created.
• Even today, where maternal societies exist, the women are given some rights such as Khasi
and Garo community are maternal.
• In paternal societies, the position of women is not good. Paternal arrangement are found in
maximum societies.

7.4 Keywords

1. Gender: Meaning of gender is dissimilar division in parallel and social form, in form of
female and male.
2. Intermediate: In tribes of India, women helps men in every type of work and mere or less
they have rights like men.

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