2003/07/01 by Elizabeth Chacko · 1 citation
Social Sciences · #Social and Economic Development in India #Anthropological Studies and Insights #Demographic Trends and Gender Preferences #Dowry #Mores #Scrutiny #Inheritance (genetic algorithm) #Inequality #Status quo #State (computer science) #Position (finance) #Social status #Socioeconomics #Development economics #Economic growth #Political science #Sociology #Gender studies #Social science #Economics #Law #Politics #Biology
paper · doi:10.1080/741954317
openalex publication_date 2003/07/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
This article explores the linkages between women's status and marriage in the southern Indian state of Kerala. Widely known as a progressive region, with high levels of social development despite poor economic growth, Kerala also fares exceptionally well in terms of standard indicators of female position. However, closer scrutiny of prevailing cultural mores, particularly in relation to marriage practices and family structure, reveals a less promising picture of entrenched inequality in relationships between women and men. Discriminatory inheritance rights, the widespread practice of dowry, and increasing violence against women all undermine women's status in Kerala.