Page 1
Gender, Religion and Caste
29
Chapter 3
Gender,
Religion and
Caste
Overview
The existence of social diversity does not threaten democracy. Political
expression of social differences is possible and sometimes quite desirable
in a democratic system. In this chapter we apply these ideas to the practice
of democracy in India. We look at three kinds of social differences that
can take the form of social divisions and inequalities. These are social
differences based on gender, religion and caste. In each case we look at
the nature of this division in India and how it gets expressed in politics.
We also ask whether different expressions based on these differences are
healthy or otherwise in a democracy.
Chapter 3.indd 29 08-04-2022 14:15:08
2024-25
Page 2
Gender, Religion and Caste
29
Chapter 3
Gender,
Religion and
Caste
Overview
The existence of social diversity does not threaten democracy. Political
expression of social differences is possible and sometimes quite desirable
in a democratic system. In this chapter we apply these ideas to the practice
of democracy in India. We look at three kinds of social differences that
can take the form of social divisions and inequalities. These are social
differences based on gender, religion and caste. In each case we look at
the nature of this division in India and how it gets expressed in politics.
We also ask whether different expressions based on these differences are
healthy or otherwise in a democracy.
Chapter 3.indd 29 08-04-2022 14:15:08
2024-25
30
Democratic Politics
Gender and politics
Let us begin with gender division.
This is a form of hierarchical social
division seen everywhere, but is
rarely recognised in the study of
politics. The gender division tends
to be understood as natural and
unchangeable. However, it is not
based on biology but on social
expectations and stereotypes.
Public/private division
Boys and girls are brought up to
believe that the main responsibility
of women is housework and bringing
up children. This is reflected in a
sexual division of labour in most
families: women do all work inside
the home such as cooking, cleaning,
washing clothes, tailoring, looking
after children, etc., and men do all
the work outside the home. It is not
that men cannot do housework; they
simply think that it is for women to
attend to these things. When these
jobs are paid for, men are ready to
take up these works. Most tailors or
cooks in hotels are men. Similarly,
it is not that women do not work
outside their home. In villages,
women fetch water, collect fuel and
work in the fields. In urban areas,
poor women work as domestic
helper in middle class homes, while
middle class women work in offices.
In fact, the majority of women do
some sort of paid work in addition
to domestic labour. But their work
is not valued and does not get
recognition.
The result of this division of
labour is that although women
constitute half of the humanity, their
role in public life, especially politics,
is minimal in most societies. Earlier,
only men were allowed to participate
in public affairs, vote and contest
for public offices. Gradually the
gender issue was raised in politics.
Women in different parts of the
world organised and agitated for
equal rights. There were agitations
in different countries for the
extension of voting rights to women.
A poster from Bengal affirming women’s
strength.
Sexual division of labour:
A system in which all
work inside the home
is either done by the
women of the family,
or organised by them
through the domestic
helpers.
Why not? If
politics is about
power, then
surely male
dominance in the
household should
be considered
political.
Why are we
discussing things
like household
work in this
textbook on
Political Science?
Is this politics?
© Zuban
Chapter 3.indd 30 08-04-2022 14:15:13
2024-25
Page 3
Gender, Religion and Caste
29
Chapter 3
Gender,
Religion and
Caste
Overview
The existence of social diversity does not threaten democracy. Political
expression of social differences is possible and sometimes quite desirable
in a democratic system. In this chapter we apply these ideas to the practice
of democracy in India. We look at three kinds of social differences that
can take the form of social divisions and inequalities. These are social
differences based on gender, religion and caste. In each case we look at
the nature of this division in India and how it gets expressed in politics.
We also ask whether different expressions based on these differences are
healthy or otherwise in a democracy.
Chapter 3.indd 29 08-04-2022 14:15:08
2024-25
30
Democratic Politics
Gender and politics
Let us begin with gender division.
This is a form of hierarchical social
division seen everywhere, but is
rarely recognised in the study of
politics. The gender division tends
to be understood as natural and
unchangeable. However, it is not
based on biology but on social
expectations and stereotypes.
Public/private division
Boys and girls are brought up to
believe that the main responsibility
of women is housework and bringing
up children. This is reflected in a
sexual division of labour in most
families: women do all work inside
the home such as cooking, cleaning,
washing clothes, tailoring, looking
after children, etc., and men do all
the work outside the home. It is not
that men cannot do housework; they
simply think that it is for women to
attend to these things. When these
jobs are paid for, men are ready to
take up these works. Most tailors or
cooks in hotels are men. Similarly,
it is not that women do not work
outside their home. In villages,
women fetch water, collect fuel and
work in the fields. In urban areas,
poor women work as domestic
helper in middle class homes, while
middle class women work in offices.
In fact, the majority of women do
some sort of paid work in addition
to domestic labour. But their work
is not valued and does not get
recognition.
The result of this division of
labour is that although women
constitute half of the humanity, their
role in public life, especially politics,
is minimal in most societies. Earlier,
only men were allowed to participate
in public affairs, vote and contest
for public offices. Gradually the
gender issue was raised in politics.
Women in different parts of the
world organised and agitated for
equal rights. There were agitations
in different countries for the
extension of voting rights to women.
A poster from Bengal affirming women’s
strength.
Sexual division of labour:
A system in which all
work inside the home
is either done by the
women of the family,
or organised by them
through the domestic
helpers.
Why not? If
politics is about
power, then
surely male
dominance in the
household should
be considered
political.
Why are we
discussing things
like household
work in this
textbook on
Political Science?
Is this politics?
© Zuban
Chapter 3.indd 30 08-04-2022 14:15:13
2024-25
Gender, Religion and Caste
31
These agitations demanded
enhancing the political and legal
status of women and improving their
educational and career opportunities.
More radical women’s movements
aimed at equality in personal and
family life as well. These movements
are called feminist movements.
Political expression of gender
division and political mobilisation
Discuss all these perceptions of an ideal woman that prevail in our society. Do you
agree with any of these? If not, what is your image of an ideal woman?
Feminist: A
woman or a man
who believes in
equal rights and
opportunities for
women and men.
© Zuban
on this question helped to improve
women’s role in public life. We now
find women working as scientists,
doctors, engineers, lawyers,
managers and college and university
teachers which were earlier not
considered suitable for women. In
some parts of the world, for example
in Scandinavian countries, such as
Sweden, Norway and Finland, the
Chapter 3.indd 31 08-04-2022 14:15:18
2024-25
Page 4
Gender, Religion and Caste
29
Chapter 3
Gender,
Religion and
Caste
Overview
The existence of social diversity does not threaten democracy. Political
expression of social differences is possible and sometimes quite desirable
in a democratic system. In this chapter we apply these ideas to the practice
of democracy in India. We look at three kinds of social differences that
can take the form of social divisions and inequalities. These are social
differences based on gender, religion and caste. In each case we look at
the nature of this division in India and how it gets expressed in politics.
We also ask whether different expressions based on these differences are
healthy or otherwise in a democracy.
Chapter 3.indd 29 08-04-2022 14:15:08
2024-25
30
Democratic Politics
Gender and politics
Let us begin with gender division.
This is a form of hierarchical social
division seen everywhere, but is
rarely recognised in the study of
politics. The gender division tends
to be understood as natural and
unchangeable. However, it is not
based on biology but on social
expectations and stereotypes.
Public/private division
Boys and girls are brought up to
believe that the main responsibility
of women is housework and bringing
up children. This is reflected in a
sexual division of labour in most
families: women do all work inside
the home such as cooking, cleaning,
washing clothes, tailoring, looking
after children, etc., and men do all
the work outside the home. It is not
that men cannot do housework; they
simply think that it is for women to
attend to these things. When these
jobs are paid for, men are ready to
take up these works. Most tailors or
cooks in hotels are men. Similarly,
it is not that women do not work
outside their home. In villages,
women fetch water, collect fuel and
work in the fields. In urban areas,
poor women work as domestic
helper in middle class homes, while
middle class women work in offices.
In fact, the majority of women do
some sort of paid work in addition
to domestic labour. But their work
is not valued and does not get
recognition.
The result of this division of
labour is that although women
constitute half of the humanity, their
role in public life, especially politics,
is minimal in most societies. Earlier,
only men were allowed to participate
in public affairs, vote and contest
for public offices. Gradually the
gender issue was raised in politics.
Women in different parts of the
world organised and agitated for
equal rights. There were agitations
in different countries for the
extension of voting rights to women.
A poster from Bengal affirming women’s
strength.
Sexual division of labour:
A system in which all
work inside the home
is either done by the
women of the family,
or organised by them
through the domestic
helpers.
Why not? If
politics is about
power, then
surely male
dominance in the
household should
be considered
political.
Why are we
discussing things
like household
work in this
textbook on
Political Science?
Is this politics?
© Zuban
Chapter 3.indd 30 08-04-2022 14:15:13
2024-25
Gender, Religion and Caste
31
These agitations demanded
enhancing the political and legal
status of women and improving their
educational and career opportunities.
More radical women’s movements
aimed at equality in personal and
family life as well. These movements
are called feminist movements.
Political expression of gender
division and political mobilisation
Discuss all these perceptions of an ideal woman that prevail in our society. Do you
agree with any of these? If not, what is your image of an ideal woman?
Feminist: A
woman or a man
who believes in
equal rights and
opportunities for
women and men.
© Zuban
on this question helped to improve
women’s role in public life. We now
find women working as scientists,
doctors, engineers, lawyers,
managers and college and university
teachers which were earlier not
considered suitable for women. In
some parts of the world, for example
in Scandinavian countries, such as
Sweden, Norway and Finland, the
Chapter 3.indd 31 08-04-2022 14:15:18
2024-25
32
Democratic Politics
Patriarchy: Literally,
rule by father, this
concept is used to
refer to a system that
values men more and
gives them power
over women.
Activities Men Women
Income generating work 6:00 2:40
Household and related work 0:30 5:00
Talking, Gossip 1:25 1:20
No work/ Leisure 3:40 3:50
Sleep, self-care, reading etc. 12:25 11:10
Daily time use (hours: minutes)
Source: Government of India, Time Use Survey, 1998-99.
+
A ‘time use survey’ was conducted in six states of our country. It
shows that an average woman works every day for a little over
seven and half hours while an average man works for six and a
half hours. Yet the work done by men is more visible because
most of their work leads to generation of income. Women also do
a lot of direct income generating work, but the bulk of their work
is household related. This work remains unpaid and invisible.
participation of women in public life
is very high.
In our country, women still lag
much behind men despite some
improvement since Independence.
Ours is still a male-dominated,
patriarchal society. Women face
disadvantage, discrimination and
oppression in various ways:
? The literacy rate among women
is only 54 per cent compared with
76 per cent among men. Similarly, a
smaller proportion of girl students
go for higher studies. When we
You can conduct a similar time use survey in your own
household. Observe all the adult male and female members of
your family for one week. Every day note down the number of
hours each of them spends on the following activities: income
generating activity (working at the office or shop or factory
or field, etc.), household related activity (cooking, cleaning,
washing, fetching water, looking after children or elders, etc.),
reading and recreation, talking/gossiping, self-care, taking rest
or sleeping. If necessary make new categories. Add up the time
taken on each activity for a week and calculate the daily average
for each activity for each member. Do women work more in your
family as well?
Chapter 3.indd 32 08-04-2022 14:15:18
2024-25
Page 5
Gender, Religion and Caste
29
Chapter 3
Gender,
Religion and
Caste
Overview
The existence of social diversity does not threaten democracy. Political
expression of social differences is possible and sometimes quite desirable
in a democratic system. In this chapter we apply these ideas to the practice
of democracy in India. We look at three kinds of social differences that
can take the form of social divisions and inequalities. These are social
differences based on gender, religion and caste. In each case we look at
the nature of this division in India and how it gets expressed in politics.
We also ask whether different expressions based on these differences are
healthy or otherwise in a democracy.
Chapter 3.indd 29 08-04-2022 14:15:08
2024-25
30
Democratic Politics
Gender and politics
Let us begin with gender division.
This is a form of hierarchical social
division seen everywhere, but is
rarely recognised in the study of
politics. The gender division tends
to be understood as natural and
unchangeable. However, it is not
based on biology but on social
expectations and stereotypes.
Public/private division
Boys and girls are brought up to
believe that the main responsibility
of women is housework and bringing
up children. This is reflected in a
sexual division of labour in most
families: women do all work inside
the home such as cooking, cleaning,
washing clothes, tailoring, looking
after children, etc., and men do all
the work outside the home. It is not
that men cannot do housework; they
simply think that it is for women to
attend to these things. When these
jobs are paid for, men are ready to
take up these works. Most tailors or
cooks in hotels are men. Similarly,
it is not that women do not work
outside their home. In villages,
women fetch water, collect fuel and
work in the fields. In urban areas,
poor women work as domestic
helper in middle class homes, while
middle class women work in offices.
In fact, the majority of women do
some sort of paid work in addition
to domestic labour. But their work
is not valued and does not get
recognition.
The result of this division of
labour is that although women
constitute half of the humanity, their
role in public life, especially politics,
is minimal in most societies. Earlier,
only men were allowed to participate
in public affairs, vote and contest
for public offices. Gradually the
gender issue was raised in politics.
Women in different parts of the
world organised and agitated for
equal rights. There were agitations
in different countries for the
extension of voting rights to women.
A poster from Bengal affirming women’s
strength.
Sexual division of labour:
A system in which all
work inside the home
is either done by the
women of the family,
or organised by them
through the domestic
helpers.
Why not? If
politics is about
power, then
surely male
dominance in the
household should
be considered
political.
Why are we
discussing things
like household
work in this
textbook on
Political Science?
Is this politics?
© Zuban
Chapter 3.indd 30 08-04-2022 14:15:13
2024-25
Gender, Religion and Caste
31
These agitations demanded
enhancing the political and legal
status of women and improving their
educational and career opportunities.
More radical women’s movements
aimed at equality in personal and
family life as well. These movements
are called feminist movements.
Political expression of gender
division and political mobilisation
Discuss all these perceptions of an ideal woman that prevail in our society. Do you
agree with any of these? If not, what is your image of an ideal woman?
Feminist: A
woman or a man
who believes in
equal rights and
opportunities for
women and men.
© Zuban
on this question helped to improve
women’s role in public life. We now
find women working as scientists,
doctors, engineers, lawyers,
managers and college and university
teachers which were earlier not
considered suitable for women. In
some parts of the world, for example
in Scandinavian countries, such as
Sweden, Norway and Finland, the
Chapter 3.indd 31 08-04-2022 14:15:18
2024-25
32
Democratic Politics
Patriarchy: Literally,
rule by father, this
concept is used to
refer to a system that
values men more and
gives them power
over women.
Activities Men Women
Income generating work 6:00 2:40
Household and related work 0:30 5:00
Talking, Gossip 1:25 1:20
No work/ Leisure 3:40 3:50
Sleep, self-care, reading etc. 12:25 11:10
Daily time use (hours: minutes)
Source: Government of India, Time Use Survey, 1998-99.
+
A ‘time use survey’ was conducted in six states of our country. It
shows that an average woman works every day for a little over
seven and half hours while an average man works for six and a
half hours. Yet the work done by men is more visible because
most of their work leads to generation of income. Women also do
a lot of direct income generating work, but the bulk of their work
is household related. This work remains unpaid and invisible.
participation of women in public life
is very high.
In our country, women still lag
much behind men despite some
improvement since Independence.
Ours is still a male-dominated,
patriarchal society. Women face
disadvantage, discrimination and
oppression in various ways:
? The literacy rate among women
is only 54 per cent compared with
76 per cent among men. Similarly, a
smaller proportion of girl students
go for higher studies. When we
You can conduct a similar time use survey in your own
household. Observe all the adult male and female members of
your family for one week. Every day note down the number of
hours each of them spends on the following activities: income
generating activity (working at the office or shop or factory
or field, etc.), household related activity (cooking, cleaning,
washing, fetching water, looking after children or elders, etc.),
reading and recreation, talking/gossiping, self-care, taking rest
or sleeping. If necessary make new categories. Add up the time
taken on each activity for a week and calculate the daily average
for each activity for each member. Do women work more in your
family as well?
Chapter 3.indd 32 08-04-2022 14:15:18
2024-25
Gender, Religion and Caste
33
Mummy always
says to outsiders:
“I don’t work. I
am a housewife.”
But I see her
working non-stop
all the time. If
what she does is
not work, what
else is work?
look at school results, girls perform
as well as boys, if not better in
some places. But they drop out
because parents prefer to spend their
resources for their boys’ education
rather than spending equally on their
sons and daughters.
? No wonder the proportion of
women among the highly paid and
valued jobs, is still very small. On
an average, an Indian woman works
one hour more than an average man
every day. Yet much of her work
is not paid and therefore, often
not valued.
? The Equal Remuneration Act,
1976 provides that equal wages
should be paid to equal work.
However in almost all areas of
work, from sports and cinema, to
factories and fields, women are paid
less than men, even when both do
exactly the same work.
? In many parts of India, parents
prefer to have sons and find ways to
have the girl child aborted before
she is born. Such sex-selective
abortion led to a decline in child sex
ratio (number of girl children per
thousand boys) in the country to
merely 919. As the map shows, this
Can you identify
your State on this
map? What is the
child sex ratio in
it? How is it
different from
others with a
different colour?
Identify the States
which have child
sex ratio below
900.
Compare this map
with the poster
on the next page.
How do the two of
them tell us about
the same issue?
Source: Census Report of 2011
Chapter 3.indd 33 08-04-2022 14:15:25
2024-25
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