Review of Development and Change essay (original) (raw)

Counter Histories of Kerala’s Modernity: Reading ‘Not so Ideal’ Women’s Autobiographies

Samyukta: A Journal of Gender and Culture ( republished in the book Samyukta India Series vol 3), 2012

Through counter narratives of Malayali modernity autobiographical writings of Nalini Jameela and C.K Janu puncture Kerala’s claim to an egalitarian social structure. By exposing the hypocrisy of modern Malayali society these narratives challenge the hierarchical constitution of intellectual elitism in Kerala and also reject a modernity that alienates and excludes communities in the margins of this ‘progressive’ state, demystifying the ‘Kerala model of development’ thesis. My attempt here is to closely read Nalini Jameela’s autobiography, The Autobiography of a Sex Worker, and see how it deviates from the self narratives which are often hailed as representative writings of Malayali modernity. The varied reception to these works also shows the conscious choices and appropriations in mainstream histories to synthesize a homogenous image of the elite modern and the ideal feminine in Kerala.

In the Midst of a Storm: Distress of Kerala Women

For the past few decades, Kerala, India, has been heralded as the model of development and has attracted significant media and academic attention. Among its most noteworthy achievements are its literacy, life expectancy, and mortality rates and state government spending on social welfare. However, these macrorealities mask many unpleasant microrealities, such as subjugating cultural practices and violence against women. This article explores the social system of Kerala to identify the invisibility of highly literate women in Kerala. The objectives are to deconstruct the gender paradox in Kerala and to discuss strategies to transform the dominant discourse including social work. Keywords gender-based violence, gender paradox, Kerala puzzle, literacy and gender Kerala, a southern state of India, has received significant attention from the international development community since the 1970s for its human development indicators. Amid low levels of economic growth, Kerala is renowned for its achievements in literacy, life expectancy, and mortality rates. In what has been coined the ''Kerala model'' of development, the state is recognized as an anomaly, with its high human development index and low per capita income (Devika, 2006; Ramanathaiyer & Macpherson, 2000). Kerala enjoys a tropical climate and is covered in lush green vegetation, in contrast to the more arid climate of northern India (Menon, 1979). Malayalam is the predominant language of the region. The majority of Kerala's population subscribes to the Hindu faith; however, this region also has a significant number of Christians and Muslims. Prior to colonization, marumakkathayam-the matrilineal system of inheritance-was practiced in many Hindu families. However, in the early 20th century, it was increasingly condemned by Hindu men who wanted to reform the matrilineal system (Menon, 2008). This reformation, in part, was a result of colonization, which paved the way for a patriarchal social structure with the importation of Western values. Among the changes brought about was the shift in ideology to emphasize men's right to assert power over women (George, 2008). Currently, traditions are dictated and interpreted through male dominance with the support of colonial-postcolonial patriarchal norms. The influence of men is

The Autonomous Women's Movement in Kerala: Historiography

2019

This paper traces the historical evolution of the women’s movement in the southernmost Indian state of Kerala and explores the related social contexts. It also compares the women’s movement in Kerala with its North Indian and international counterparts. An attempt is made to understand how feminist activities on the local level differ from the larger scenario with regard to their nature, causes, and success. Mainstream history writing has long neglected women’s history, just as women have been denied authority in the process of knowledge production. The Kerala Model and the politically triggered society of the state, with its strong Marxist party, alienated women and overlooked women’s work, according to feminist critique. This paper seeks to ascertain the unique kind of feminism in Kerala under such prevailing social conditions.

Role of Women in the Development Path of Kerala

Shanlax International Journal of Economics, 2024

Kerala, a state in southwestern India, has achieved remarkable social and economic development, surpassing many other Indian states. A significant contributor to this success is the empowered role of women in Kerala’s society. This paper examines the crucial contributions of women to Kerala’s development path, highlighting their impact on education, healthcare, economy, and social reform. With a high literacy rate and active participation in the workforce, women have driven positive change and played a vital role in shaping the state’s development trajectory. The paper explores the historical and cultural context that has enabled women’s empowerment in Kerala, discussing the influence of matrilineal traditions, education initiatives, and social movements. By analyzing the experiences and achievements of women in Kerala, this research demonstrates the transformative power of gender equality and women’s empowerment in achieving sustainable development and social progress.

Family structure, women's education and work: Re-examining the high status of women in Kerala

… reforms: continuity and change in South …, 2003

Literacy, together with non-domestic employment, which gave women access to independent sources of income, have been regarded as important indicators of women's 'status', which affected fertility and mortality outcomes. Since women in Kerala have on average, been the most literate when compared with women in other states of India (though the same could not be said of female work-participation rates), much has been written about their 'high status' and their central role, historically, in social development. However, there is a growing uneasiness with Kerala's social development outcomes linked to non conventional indicators as in the rising visibility of gender based violence, mental illhealth among women, and the rapid growth and spread of dowry and related crimes. We suggest that engagement with socio-cultural institutions such as families, which mediate micro level decisions regarding education, health or employment, could reveal the continuities rather than disjunctures between conventional social development outcomes and non conventional indicators of ill health and violence. Changes in the structure and practices of families in Kerala in the past century have had wide-ranging implications for gender relations. Alterations in marriage, inheritance and succession practices have changed dramatically the practices of erstwhile matrilineal groups as well as weakened women's access to and control over inherited resources. Alongside, women's education and employment have not played the transformative role so generally expected of them. Changing levels of female employment and the persistence of a gendered work structure have limited women's claims to "self-acquired" or independent sources of wealth. Underlying these changes are conceptions of masculinity and femininity, which privilege the male working subject and female domesticity.