She is no Sati or Durga: Indian woman unveiled

TWO OF A KIND: The survey finds Indian women reject some stereotypes while adhering to others.

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The findings of the survey do not support this reading either. A rejection of male-centric views on things that fall within their experience does not lead to a rejection of the male-female stereotypes:

-- The stereotype that men are generally more intelligent than women is accepted by a large number of our respondents, a shade more than those who reject it. Of course, the well-educated strongly reject this stereotype but this rejection does not have the force across various classes as in the case of rejection of gender roles.

-- Women as of course happy to embrace the more convenient stereotypes that they are more sensitive than men and that men tend to be disloyal. The image of a sensitive woman is prevalent across all sections of women and is strongest among young single women. The stereotype that men cannot be trusted as they are generally disloyal is also stronger among single women; married women tend to be a shade more generous.

-- Even though majority of them disagree with the idea of only men taking important family decisions two out of five women seem to be fine with the idea.

Nor does the rejection of gender roles lead the Indian women to question institutions such as marriage, family, caste and community.

-- If men and women are incompatible, should they seek divorce or continue to be together? This question draws a split verdict with more women favouring retention of marriage. No doubt the proportion of those who favour divorce in such a situation is much higher than it would have been in the past, but there is generally an unwillingness to do anything that would shake the institution of marriage.

-- The idea of a live-in relationship outside marriage finds little support. The highest endorsement comes from the young graduate women, one-sixth of whom support the idea.

-- The idea of pre-marital sex too finds few takers, though the urban educated women are a little more open to this idea.

It may be tempting to think of these attitudes as contradictory and to portray the modern Indian women as a split personality. Or perhaps, like their male counterparts, the modern Indian woman is trying to forge her own kind of modernity.

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