The Indian feminist movement has until recently neglected the plight of those women that are not healthy and functional in the normative sense, but rather impaired and thus, almost consequently, disabled. By taking disability into account, the general burden of being born female might become evident in even sharper contrast. In order to achieve a more complete picture and understand the mechanisms behind gender ideologies in the context of disability, the situation of the disabled men needs to be considered as well. This way, a comparative analysis of the impact gender ideologies exert on persons with disabilities (PWD) of different sexes is possible. How does incapacity, physical or intellectual, affect the standing of a PWD in the eyes of their community and subsequently their general outlook in life? In what ways does the experience of disability influence the perception and performance of culturally determined gender roles and gender identities?
Due to India being so culturally diverse, no single formulation can be given that encompasses all the different ways in which disability is viewed and experienced.
The study of the disabled experience of men and women in relation to gender is impossible without taking into account the ideological background upon which gendered ideals, norms and expectations are socially constructed. Thus, before delving deeper into the literature review, an outline of the construction of personhood as well as the perspectives on disability in the Indian context shall be given. Afterwards, an analysis of the different gender-specific challenges, but also opportunities for identity negotiation of men and women with disabilities is attempted consecutively. In this section it will be shown that men generally suffer from the same normative ideals as women, albeit to a lesser extent depending on their impairment, its degree and also their social setting.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Theoretical framework
- Indian notions of personhood
- Indian perspectives on disability
- Disability and masculinity
- Challenges
- Negotiating identity
- Disability and femininity
- Challenges
- Negotiating identity
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to explore the influence of disability on gender roles and identity in the Indian context. It examines how disability intersects with gender ideologies and shapes the experiences of both men and women with disabilities. The paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges, opportunities, and strategies for identity negotiation faced by individuals with disabilities within a complex socio-cultural context.
- The impact of disability on the perception and performance of culturally determined gender roles and gender identities.
- The influence of Indian notions of personhood and perspectives on disability on the experiences of individuals with disabilities.
- The specific challenges and opportunities for identity negotiation faced by men and women with disabilities in India.
- A comparative analysis of the impact of gender ideologies on persons with disabilities of different sexes.
- The importance of considering the intersection of disability and gender in achieving a more complete picture of gender ideologies in India.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the research topic and highlights the significance of examining the intersection of disability and gender in the Indian context. It emphasizes the need for a comparative analysis of the experiences of men and women with disabilities to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of gender ideologies. The chapter also points to the cultural diversity of India and the need for nuanced perspectives when studying the experiences of individuals with disabilities.
- Theoretical framework: This chapter delves into the theoretical framework of the study, outlining the Indian notions of personhood and perspectives on disability. It discusses the contrast between Western and South Asian ideas of personhood, emphasizing the importance of familial and communal bonds in South Asian cultures. The chapter also examines how disability challenges traditional notions of masculinity and femininity, highlighting the societal expectations associated with each gender role.
- Disability and masculinity: This chapter explores the challenges and opportunities for identity negotiation faced by men with disabilities in India. It examines how societal expectations of masculinity are impacted by disability, exploring the specific challenges they face in meeting traditional norms. The chapter also analyzes the strategies men with disabilities use to navigate these challenges and construct their own sense of identity.
- Disability and femininity: This chapter examines the experiences of women with disabilities in India, focusing on the challenges and opportunities for identity negotiation they face. It highlights the specific societal expectations and pressures placed on women with disabilities in relation to their ability to fulfill traditional roles. The chapter explores the strategies women with disabilities employ to navigate these challenges and assert their agency.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This text focuses on the key concepts of disability, gender roles, identity, Indian context, intersectionality, societal expectations, cultural diversity, masculinity, femininity, and identity negotiation. The paper examines the ways in which these concepts interweave to shape the experiences of individuals with disabilities in India, particularly focusing on the challenges and opportunities they face in navigating gendered expectations and constructing their own identities.
- Quote paper
- Nejla Demirkaya (Author), 2015, India. The Influence of Disability on Gender Roles and Identity, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/307608
