Maddy's comments set me thinking why Kerala has a better ratio though I have no answer as to why the development of the state is not in par. Of course we end up with the answer: because it has high literacy. So is education the key? But then selective abortion has started among the educated Keralites too as per reports.
But yet Kerala is still ahead of the rest of the states. Maybe because of the Marumakkathayam system which was prevalent ealier? According to Wikipedia “Marumakkathayam" is a matrilinear system of inheritance followed by castes of Kerala like some Brahmin families (Payanoor Nambootiris)[citation needed] , Ambalavasis, Royal /Nair families, some Ezhavas, upper class Mappilas in Kerala state, south India. It is exceptional in the sense that it was one of the few traditional systems that gave women liberty, and right to property. Under this system, women enjoyed respect, prestige and power. In the matrilinear system, the family lived together in a tharavadu which comprised of a mother, her brothers and younger sisters, and her children. The oldest male member was known as the karanavar and was the head of the household and managed the family estate. Lineage was traced through the mother, and the children "belonged" to the mother's family. All family property was jointly owned. In the event of a partition, the shares of the children were clubbed with that of the mother. The karanavar's property was inherited by his nephews and not his sons.
Here the most important aspect to be noted is that a woman was given liberty and right to property. She enjoyed respect, prestige and power while at the same time the oldest male member was the head of the household.
Then again another point is that due to the education imparted , the Kerala girls are able to earn for themselves. They were ready to go beyond their own states and even to other coutries (Gulf, US etc) to support their families. I guess this made them an asset rather than a liablity and hence they were let to live!
Random Thoughts, Ramblings.....
ah - marumakkathyam...that is a vast topic, least understood by people - as to what it was as compared to what it is reported to be...some stupid idiotic european writers of the 15th & 16th century made it out as pagan polyandry...
ReplyDeletebut well it also gave women a mighty right in those times - which is the right to divorce or separate from her husband if she did not think it just or right..
Another important fact is that even before independence when the 'marumakatayam' system was strong the women were allowed to learn and teach.
ReplyDeleteI remember my grand mother who could read and write malayalam, hindi, sanskrit and english!!
I give stress to this fact because in her days the joint family had over 300 members and all the women in the family was like her, well learned, well spoken and managaed the family matters. They had to be like that because the men simply ate, drank and had sex!!!
marumakkathayam...
ReplyDeletenever knew of this, good read.
the Kerala girls are able to earn for themselves. They were ready to go beyond their own states and even to other coutries (Gulf, US etc) to support their families.
ReplyDeleteand u are very right :)
Very interesting read. Our country is so 'divided' into North-South that we tired of explaining things about South India to people while we grew up in Delhi. What took the cake was the nurses' explanation for my joy at the birth of my eldest daughter, over 20 yrs ago - she said it was because daughters inherit in our community(and it isnt even true). I should add that the nurses in Madras, where my second daughter was born, could not participate in our joy at the birth of a second baby girl!!
ReplyDeleteWe cant highlight these gender issues enough in our country!!
Maddy: i am sure u can throw more light on this one..
ReplyDeleteKK: u r right.. even my grand mothers were well educated and had a good hold over the house they ruled. They read the newspapers as soon as they could get hold of them and were well aware of all the current events.
Indrani:Yes women ruled!
Roop: u sure must have seen a lot of them!
Gardenia: thanks for passing by.. i am sure u have a wealth of information on this topic too..
the Kerala girls are able to earn for themselves. They were ready to go beyond their own states and even to other coutries (Gulf, US etc) to support their families. I guess this made them an asset rather than a liablity and hence they were let to live!
ReplyDeleteYou summed it up.