Women and ICT
connectivity are increasingly important to national development goals, it is
important to begin to build a body of knowledge contextualizing and describing
the effects that exposure to internet connectivity has on women’s perceptions
of opportunity and change. Historically, the isolation of women from the
mainstream economy and their lack of access to information because of societal,
cultural and market constraints have led them to become distant from the global
pool of information and knowledge. This distance is reflected in the levels of
empowerment and equality of women in comparison to men, and has enormously
contributed to the slow pace of development in developing countries like India.
It is now a well-understood fact that without progress towards the empowerment
of women, any attempt to raise the quality of lives of people in developing
countries would be incomplete. To achieve this goal we have to possess a sound
knowledge of the problems that women have to face. Particularly in India such
studies are very scarce. This
research paper seeks the reverse effect of women and ICT. Development in the
fields of Information and Communication Technology open the new dimensions for
women. The present research paper tries to understand the dual prominences and
as well as gender discrimination also. From the findings of this paper, we can
manage the solution related women problems and create balance between women and
social structure
Friday, November 2, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
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Friday, June 8, 2012
Contemporary Theoretical scenario in Sociology and the Possibilities of Indian Contribution
Absract
Contemporary Theoretical
scenario in Sociology and the Possibilities of Indian Contribution
Prashant Tripathi1 and Pawan Kumar Mishra2
1. Department
of Sociology, V.S.S.D. College, Kanpur,
India.
2. Department
of Applied Sciences & Humanities, K.I.T., Kanpur, India.
Key words: classical sociology,
postmodernism, Indian philosophy, Social Quantum Physics.
It is being widely accepted that era of meta
narratives and universalization is gone and only way is multiculturalism. This
situation emerged from the failure classical sociological theories. Instead of
looking for proper alternate the goal itself is being rejected. But here we
suggest that alternate may be found in Indian philosophical tradition.
Sociological theory is going through the
process of radical changes. Basic assumptions of Modern or Classical Sociology
are being rejected. But no clear alternative is being presented. Classical
sociology took Society or System as primary cause and individual consciousness
was ignored in the realm of sociology. At best it may be seen in
structural-functionalism. The failure of this approach in understanding and
solving social problems paved the way for neo-functionalism, post-structuralism,
phenomenology and such various other alternative approaches and methods.
Overall direction was and is towards postmodernism which leads us towards no
proper alternate other than nihilism.
When we try to enquire about root cause, it
is found in the basic characteristics of prevalent western ideologies and
thought process. It depends upon antitheses and dichothemical classifications.
Thus thesis and antithesis never provide synthesis but antithesis after
antithesis is produced and that too is dependent upon contemporary situational
changes. To be honest, it is not theorization but interpretation. And this
deficiency ultimately leads to the conclusion that human nature is something
photonic. Thus Social Physics takes the root to be Social Quantum Physics.
On the other hand, Indian sociology never
emerged from the western impact and seldom looked to indigenous philosophical
roots. But at this juncture of theoretical void sociology must have too
look at traditional Indian philosophies like Vedanta, Yoga, Sankhya etc. as
they provide us the tools of solving the problem of complex dilemmas like
particularity vs. universality, individual vs. society, unit vs. structure.
References:
1. Narendra K. Singhi,
editors note in Historicity to Postmodernity by Ruchi Banthya, Rawat
Publications, Jaipur (India)1994, pp15.
2. Ruchi Banthya, Historicity
to Postmodernity, Rawat Publications, Jaipur (India), 1994, pp152.
3. Ramkrishna Mukherjee,
National Traditions in Sociology edited by Nikolai Genov, Sage
Publications, London, Newbury, New Delhi, 1989, pp136.
4. Indian Sociology, Yogendra
Singh, Rawat Publications, Jaipur, 2004, pp163-164.
5. Yogendra Singh, Sociology
for India edited by T.K.N. Unnithan and Others, Prentice Hall of India Private
Limited, New Delhi, 1967, pp19, 24.
6. David Lyon, Post
Modernity, preface to 1st Edition, University
of Minnesota Press, 2002,
pp IX.
7. P.A.Sorokin, Social and
Cultural Dynamics, Peter Owen Limited, London,
1957, pp 699.
8. P. A. Sorokin, Modern Historical
and Social Philosophies, Dover Publications, Inc. New York, 1963, pp318.
9. Jim Powell,
Post-modernism, Orient Longman Limited, Hyderabad,
India, 2001,
pp. 156-7
10. Punarjanm aur Kramvikas,
Sree Arvind Society, 1972, pp125.
11. Howard Becker and Harry E.
Barnes, Social Thought from Lore to Science, Dover Publications, Inc. New York, 1961, pp76.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Causes of Son Preference in Rural Culture: A Sociological Study (In Reference of Jaunpur District)
|
Abstract
|
|
It has been seen in numerous studies that most of Indian couples have
a strong preference for sons over daughters. Sons are getting priority from
the ancient period due to war and family responsibilities. According to
mythology a son getting out his parents from the hell. In a rural community
sons are preferred by their resources reasons. Some traditions and costumes
are also responsible for making partiality between son and daughter for
example dowry system can be mentioned. People think that if they get female
issue their base honor will be decreased. Therefore they have just wished for
son. In an effort to have sons, many couples continue to have children after
achieving their desired family size. This practice may have retarded
Using
data from National Family Health Survey, report assesses the prevalence of
son preference in Indian social structure. The root level analysis is
important because fertility levels, social and economic conditions, and the
strength of son preference vary widely from one part of the society to
another.
The present research focuses on the
issue of son preferences in rural area of Jaunpur district. It has been
realized that women, constituting nearly half of the human population act as
pervasive partners in conception bearing and rearing and thus in directly
determining the quality and quantity of human population. They play key role
in reproduction and production, formally and informally, and both visibly and
invisibly. Despite of that, what factors are working behind the mentality of
female foeticide and son preference is subject matter of this research paper.
Key
Words: Son preference,
Succession,
|
Dr Pawan K.
Mishra
Assistant
Professor, Industrial Sociology
Kanpur
Institute of Technology
pkmkit@gmail.com
Rajesh K.
Vishnoi
Lecturer,
Sociology
Ramabainagar
rajeshvishnoi77@gmil.com
Introduction
The preference for male children transcends many
societies and cultures, making it an issue of local and global dimensions.
While son preference is not a new phenomenon and has existed historically in
many parts of Asia . According new studies commissioned by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),
prenatal son selection in several Asian countries could result in severe social
consequences – such as a surge in sexual violence and trafficking of
women. its contemporary expressions illustrate the
gendered outcomes of social power relations as they interact and intersect with
culture, economy and technologies. It has been seen in numerous studies
that most of Indian couples have a strong preference for sons over daughters.
Sons are getting priority from the ancient period due to war and family
responsibilities. According to mythology a son getting out his parents from the
hell. In a rural community sons are preferred by their resources reasons. Some
traditions and costumes are also responsible for making partiality between son
and daughter for example dowry system can be mentioned. People think that if
they get female issue their base honor will be decreased. Therefore they have
just wished for son. In an effort to have sons, many couples continue to have
children after achieving their desired family size.
Using data from National Family Health Survey, report assesses the
prevalence of son preference in Indian social structure. The root level
analysis is important because fertility levels, social and economic conditions,
and the strength of son preference vary widely from one part of the society to
another.
The present research focuses on the issue of son preferences in rural
area of Jaunpur district. It has been realized that women, constituting nearly
half of the human population act as pervasive partners in conception bearing
and rearing and thus in directly determining the quality and quantity of human
population. They play key role in reproduction and production, formally and
informally, and both visibly and invisibly. Despite of that, what factors are working
behind the mentality of female foeticide and son preference is subject matter
of this research paper.
Sampling
For this purpose a small hamlet is selected named Umarpur by
deliberately method of sampling. The population of this village 563 and total no
of O.B.C. population is 204 and Schedule Class is 96.Present study is focused
on the son preference in other backward class and scheduled class respondents.
Status of son preference:
For more than 100 years, the Indian census has shown a marked gap between
the number of boys and girls, men and women. This gap, which has nationwide
implications, is the result of decisions made at the most local level—the
family. Common wisdom is that the preference for sons is motivated by economic,
religious, social and emotional desires and norms that favor males and make
females less desirable: Parents expect sons—but not daughters—to provide
financial and emotional care, especially in their old age; sons add to family
wealth and property while daughters drain it through dowries; sons continue the
family lineage while daughters are married away to another household; sons
perform important religious roles; and sons defend or exercise the family’s
power while daughters have to be defended and protected, creating a perceived
burden on the household.
Son preference is term of traditional Indian society. On the question of
son preference respondents expressed their views and according their views a
table have been formed by researchers.
Table 1.1 showing status of
son preference
|
S.N.
|
Respondent
|
Equality
|
Percent
|
Non
Equality
|
Percent
|
Total
|
Percent
|
|
1.
|
S.C.
|
23
|
(23.96%)
|
73
|
(76.04)
|
96
|
100%
|
|
2.
|
O.B.C.
|
35
|
(17.15%)
|
169
|
(82.84%)
|
204
|
100%
|
|
3.
|
Combined
|
58
|
(19.33%)
|
242
|
(80.67%)
|
300
|
100%
|
As above data indicate that more than 80.67 percent have partiality
between son and daughter while 19.33 percent make no partiality between son and
daughter. S.C. women, have more partiality problems.
Table 1.2 : Reason behind son preference
|
S.N.
|
Respondent
|
Succession
|
Economic
help
|
Due to
tradition
|
Could
not say
|
Don't
make partiality
|
|
1.
|
S.C. 96 (100%)
|
43
(44.79%)
|
17 (17.70%)
|
13(13.54%)
|
0
|
23
(23.95%)
|
|
2.
|
O.B.C. 204(100%)
|
92(45.04%)
|
37
(18.13%)
|
26 (12.74%)
|
14(8.86%)
|
35(17.15%)
|
|
3.
|
Combined 300 (100%)
|
135(45%)
|
54(18%)
|
39(13%)
|
14(4.67%)
|
58
(19.33%)
|
Respondents expressed reason behind son preference which are given
following table. According to the data 45 percent respondents think that sons
are necessary for succession while 18 percent for economic help. Due to
tradition 13 percent women give opinion in favour of sons.
After the analysis it is found that succession point make Indian couple
for having discriminating approach between son and daughter. Despite it economy
and tradition are also big issue for son preference.
References :
2.United Nations Population Fund
(UNFPA)2007 United Nations
3.Dorette Wesemann, Edited by Rangnar Mullr(2008), Traditional son
preference, Amezen.
4. Rangamuthia Mutharayappa, Minja Kim Choe, Fred Arnold, and T. K. Roy(1997),National
Family Health Survey Subject Reports.
5.Rohini Pande and Anju Malhotra(2006)ICRW, New Dehli.
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