Sociology of Gender: The Challenge of Feminist Sociological Knowledge

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Rigorous feminist critique of sociological theories and paradigms has, in recent years, raised new questions, broadened the frontiers of sociological knowledge and established gender as a conceptual category. Simultaneously, new developments within feminist scholarship have given rise to fresh explorations, which have strengthened and expanded the boundaries of feminist knowledge.

Exploring these twin developments, this invaluable reader maps the contributions made by feminist scholars towards engendering mainstream sociological discourse in India. It covers a broad range of issues relating to the lifespan of women in different social institutions such as the family, school and the workplace.

The 14 articles are grouped in two parts. The first part is devoted to conceptual issues in feminism, anthropology and sociology and themes in feminist social theories. The second part is divided into four sections which cover diverse issues in the areas of work, family, kinship, caste, education and the state. Among the themes discussed are:

• Matriliny, migration and women's economic status.
• Female participation in farm work and in suburban production work.
• Gender issues in the education of young girls and in the reproduction of social inequality in schooling.
• Gender in the making of the Indian nation-state and in caste discrimination.

About the Author:

Sharmila Rege teaches at the Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule Women's Studies Centre, University of Pune.