Status of Muslim Women in India: A Case Study of Kerala

172 Pages·1981·11.143 MB·English

by  M. Indu Menon

STATUS OF MUSLIM WOMEN
IN INDIA
A Case Study of Kerala
M. INDU MENON
a
UPPAL PUBLISHING HOUSE
NEW DELHI
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UPPAL PUBLISHING HOUSE
3, Ansari Road, Waryaganj, New Delhi-110002 -
8, Yashwant Plaee, Chanakyapuri,, New Delhi-110021
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‘Indian Council of Social Science Research gave financial support
towards the publication of this work. However, the responsibility
for the contents of the book-facts, opinions, conclusion,
‘etc, is entirely that of the authors and not of the ICSSR.
© M. INDU MENON
First published 1981
PRINTED IN INDIA
Published by B.S. UPPAL, UPPAL PUBLISHING
HOUSE, New Delhi-110002 and Printed at Latika
Printers, 116, Maujpur, Shahdara, Delhi-110053
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MY PARENTS
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Digitized bGy oogle UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
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PREFACE
This book is a slightly modified version of my doctoral
-dissertation entitled “Education and Social Status of Muslim
Women in Kerala” submitted to the University of Kerala in
1976.
The theme of social status of Muslim Women has been
comparativelya neglected field of study in Indian Sociology.
Muslims constitute eleven per cent of India’s population and half
-of them are women. In spite of the fact that the Government
of India and the state governments are particularly anxious to
raise the status of Muslim Women, no systematic effort has been
made so far to find out the factors behind their low status. As
-a result, very little is known about the social dynamics of status
improvement among an important segment of the Indian Society.
This study purports to examine the socio-cultural aspects of
‘the status of Muslim Women in India with special reference to
the Kerala situation. As education is a critical factor in the
process of modernization, the problem has been studied from
the vantage point of education. The study was conducted in
the four districts of Kerala viz. Calicut, Malappuram, Palghat
and Cannanore which account for two-thirds of the Muslim
population in the State.
In the successful completion of this work, I have received
support and guidance from many people. I am grateful to
Professor P.K.B. Nayar, my research supervisor, for the
encouragement and inspiring guidance provided.
My thanks to Dr. R. Krishna Pillai, Dr. (Miss) Aleyamma
George and Shri Rajasekharan Nair of the Department of
‘Statistics, University of Kerala for the help rendered in the
analysis of data.
Special thanks are due to Dr. (Mrs.) Mercy Moraes of the
Department of Education, University of Kerala for her valuable
‘suggestions on an earlier draft of the manuscript.
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(viii)
Tam also thankful to my colleagues at the Department of
Sociology, University of Kerala for their assistance at various
stages of this study.
T owe a special debt of gratitude to Professor M.S.A. Rao,
University of Delhi for patiently going through the thesis and
giving valuable suggestions for its improvement.
I am deeply indebted to the respondents for their whole
hearted co-operation in many ways during the course of my
field work.
Tam also grateful to the Indian Council of Social Science
Reasearch and the University Grants Commission for providing
me with fellowships during the period of my doctoral study.
Thanks are due to the ICSSR for providing me with a publica-
tion grant for this study.
M. INDU MENON
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CONTENTS
Page
‘CHAPTERS
VIL
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
The problem-women and society—status
of women in Islamic societies—status of
muslim women in India—education of
muslim women in Kerala.
27
METHODOLOGY
Objectives of the study—statement of the
problem—hypotheses—sample—tools of
data collection —data collection--analysis of
data.
35
RESEARCH SETTING
39
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Factors influencing education—age of
entry to school—objectives of education—
termination of education—education of
children—education as a status raising
factor—co-education—religious education
—conclusion.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY 63
Age at marriage—arrangement of
marriage—polygamy—dowry system—mehr
or dower—divorce—widow remarriage—
type of family—position of women in
the family—decision making—treatment of
children—family planning—conclusion.
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ECONOMIC AND OCCUPATIONAL
BACKGROUND
91
Economic position—property _rights—
occupational position—conclusion.
POLITICAL AND SOCIAL BACKGROUND 103.
Women and politics—voting behaviour
—freedom of movement—veiling—leisure
time activities—conclusion.
ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOUR OF MEN
RESPONDENTS 121
On education—on marriage—on family—
on occupation—on social and cultural
activities—conclusion.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND
IMPLICATIONS 131
BIBLIOGRAPHY 143
INDEX 159
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LIST OF TABLES
Table Page:
1. Education and Age of the Respondents 42
2. Respondents’ Education and their Fathers’
Education 43
Respondents’ Education and Mothers’ Education 44
y
Respondents’ Education and their Husbands’
s
Education 45
Respondents’ Fathers’ and Mothers’ Education 46
A Level of Education and Objective of Education 48
I Education and Gain from Education 50
P Education and Attitude towards Education as a
Factor in Raising Social Status 55
Education and Attitude towards Co-Education 56.
Education and Duration of Religious Education 58.
11. Education and Age at First!Marriage 65
12. Present Age and Age at First Marriage 66.
13. Education and Attitude towards Early Marriage 67
14. Education and Arrangement of Marriage 69
15. Education and Attitude towards Dowry 73
16. Education and Role in Decision-making Concerning
Childrens’ Schooling, Career and Marriage 82.
17, Education and Role in Decision-making Concerning
Family-Budget, Buying Property, Clothes and
Articles 83.
18. Education and Attitude Towards Limiting Family
Size 86.
19. Education and Practice of Birth-Control Methods 87
20. Ownership of Personal Property and Consultation
By Husbands in Making Decisions Regarding
Children’s Schooling, Career and Marriage 94
21. Ownership of Personal Property and Consultation
by Husbands in Making Decision Regarding
Family Budget, Buying Property, Clothes and House-
hold Articles 95
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(xii)
Page
22. Education and Attitude Towards Considering Man
as The Sole Bread-winner 98
23. Education and Attitude Towards Economic
Independence as giving Women Higher Status 100
24. Education and Attitude Towards Politics as a
Legitimate Field of Activity for Women 104
25. Education and Approval of Women Actively
Participating in Politics 105
26. Education and Casting of Vote in the Last
Election 108
‘
27. Education and Preference for the Candidate lll
28. Education and Awareness of the Programmes of
Candidates Contesting for Election 112
29. Education and Freedom of Movement Outside
Home 115
30. Education and Newspaper Reading Habits 117
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