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.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Theoretical framework
2.1. Indian notions of personhood
2.2. Indian perspectives on disability
3. Disability and masculinity
3.1. Challenges
3.2. Negotiating identity
4. Disability and femininity
4.1. Challenges
4.2. Negotiating identity
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Research Focus
This work examines the intersection of disability, gender, and identity within the Indian social context. It aims to investigate how physical or intellectual impairments influence the perception and performance of culturally defined gender roles, and whether disability leads to similar or divergent social outcomes for men and women in a patriarchic society.
- The construction of personhood and disability within Indian cultural and religious norms.
- Comparative analysis of challenges faced by disabled men and women regarding masculinity and femininity.
- Strategies used by individuals with disabilities to negotiate their identity in the face of societal expectations.
- The role of employment and social participation as mechanisms for empowerment versus the risk of social ostracism.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1. Indian notions of personhood
Being disabled poses a major challenge to one’s status in society, which is, in turn, commonly defined in terms of masculinity or femininity. Throughout scientific literature, the Indian notions of personhood are repeatedly juxtaposed to Western ideas. According to these comparisons, South Asian societies stress the importance of familial and communal bonds rather than independency and individuality so valued in Western countries. The South Asian „dividual“ is thus contrasted with the Western „individual“ in terms of interpersonal fluidity and their own personhood as being „substantially transformed through their interactions.“ According to this thought, identities evolve from within the context of the family and its social relationships as well as from the interaction with – and differentiation from – people outside the wider social group. As always, generalising statements such as the above need to be taken with a grain of salt; nonetheless, the studies incorporated in this paper largely support them.
Competent personhood is exemplified by the able-bodied, fit and healthy person who fulfils his or her role in society and maintains good relationships – an area strictly regulated as well. There are differences along gender (and religious) lines, however, that need to be acknowledged in order to gain a more comprehensive picture of Indian personhood. These differences ultimately root in the biological fact that the female body undergoes risky entries and departures of bodily substances during menstruation, sexual intercourse and childbirth, rendering her more fluid and open than men and thus „more dangerously vulnerable to impurity, sexual violations, and receipts from the outside [...] and also more exudative.“
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the research focus on the intersection of disability and gender in India, highlighting the need to look beyond the experiences of women to include men for a comparative analysis.
2. Theoretical framework: Explores the socio-cultural definitions of personhood and the specific religious and practical perspectives on disability in the Indian context.
3. Disability and masculinity: Examines the challenges disabled men face in fulfilling traditional patriarchal roles and how they negotiate their masculine identity through societal interaction and bodily perception.
4. Disability and femininity: Analyzes the double burden faced by disabled women, covering issues of neglect, abuse, and the struggle to maintain femininity or self-worth within societal constraints.
5. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, concluding that while disability creates significant social barriers for both genders, the ways these are internalized and resisted are highly context-dependent and individualized.
Keywords
Disability, Gender Roles, Masculinity, Femininity, Indian Society, Personhood, Identity Negotiation, Social Stigma, Impairment, Patriarchy, Empowerment, Employment, Cultural Norms, Marginalization, Embodied Difference
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this publication?
The work explores how physical and intellectual disabilities intersect with traditional Indian gender ideologies, focusing on how these factors shape personal identity and social standing.
Which thematic areas are central to this research?
The central themes include the cultural construction of personhood, the gendered challenges of disability, and the various strategies individuals use to negotiate their identity in both masculine and feminine frameworks.
What is the primary objective of the study?
The objective is to understand how the experience of disability influences the performance of culturally determined gender roles and to determine if disability causes a significant shift in status for both men and women.
Which scientific method is utilized?
The work employs a qualitative, literature-based comparative analysis, synthesizing anthropological and sociological studies to evaluate the experiences of persons with disabilities in India.
What is covered in the main section?
The main sections contrast the challenges of masculinity and femininity for disabled individuals, specifically addressing societal perceptions, marriageability, employment, and internal identity negotiation.
How would you characterize this work using keywords?
It is characterized by terms such as intersectionality, Indian social context, gender identity, disability studies, and social ostracism.
How does religious belief influence the perception of disability in India?
According to the text, religious norms, particularly within Hindu thought, often view impairment as the result of past-life misdeeds, potentially leading to fatalistic or resigned societal attitudes toward the disabled.
What is the "double burden" described for disabled women?
The "double burden" refers to the compounded disadvantage of being both female, in a society that often prioritizes males, and disabled, which leads to further marginalization, vulnerability, and social invisibility.
How do men with disabilities negotiate their identity according to the text?
Disabled men often struggle with traditional expectations of being the family provider, but they may negotiate their identity by emphasizing hyper-masculine qualities or using their disability in ways that restore their position as family supporters, such as through specific social roles.
What role does the "dividual" play in understanding Indian personhood?
The "dividual" is contrasted with the Western "individual," signifying that personhood in India is defined through fluidity and constant transformation via family and social relationships rather than independent self-sufficiency.
- 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
