Including my husband returning back to the States to start a teaching degree program and a switch in host families. On the one hand, I’m dealing with the massive curtailment of freedom since I don’t have my husband to accompany me around everywhere (such as after sunset/on the bus). On the other hand, [...]
Archive for the ‘Gender and sexuality’ Category
Lots of changes in the past two weeks
Posted in Gender and sexuality, tagged Malayalam on 6 August 2009 | 3 Comments »
“Taking Drinks” in Kerala
Posted in Gender and sexuality, Tourism, Women and feminism, tagged Trivandrum on 1 July 2009 | 4 Comments »
Yesterday, my host grandma asked me if I “take drinks.” After a few moments of confusion (I had originally thought she was asking me if I wanted water, although I should not have been surprised with her real interest, given the frequency I am asked this question), I realized she wanted to know if [...]
Being unfriendly or being defensive?
Posted in Gender and sexuality, Travel logistics, Women and feminism, tagged Two worlds on 22 June 2009 | 4 Comments »
Before coming to India, I was warned –in program materials and by my relatives– to be extra careful because of my female gender.
I’m usually pretty careful when strangers approach me in America, so I admit I didn’t pay much attention to the advice I received for three reasons: My parents, as much as I love [...]
Malayalee Matrimonial Ads
Posted in Gender and sexuality, Malayalam, News clippings, Race, Women and feminism, tagged Fashion and beauty, Malayalam on 21 June 2009 | 2 Comments »
Malayalee Matrimonial Ads are fascinating, and give one strange insight into the ideals of this society. One the one hand, you have ads with the following language (usually in the so-called “cosmopolitan” section):
-Caste no bar
-Language no bar
-Mixed cultured man looking for bride
-Seeks educated bridegroom
-Seeks employed, educated bride
On the other hand, there is also this [...]
Child abuse in India
Posted in Gender and sexuality, News clippings on 18 May 2009 | Leave a Comment »
This isn’t directly related to my work in Kerala, but I found the article so disturbing, and given how much of the topic is shrouded in secrecy, I felt the need to post it:
India’s Incest and the conspiracy of silence
Some disturbing tidbits from the article:
“A 1985 study by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences revealed [...]
Has Frieda been photoshopped?
Posted in Gender and sexuality, Race, Women and feminism, tagged Celebrity, Fashion and beauty on 16 May 2009 | 2 Comments »
The makeup company L’Oreal received a lot of heat recently regarding possible photoshopping of the singer Beyonce (to give her lighter skin).
There are similar questions about Frieda Pinto, the Indian actress from Slumdog Millionaire.
I personally don’t think she has been photoshopped. She already is light-skinned for an Indian. Plus, if her skin [...]
An interesting documentary about Indian women on H-4 visas
Posted in Gender and sexuality, TV and film, Women and feminism, tagged Immigration, Two worlds on 16 April 2009 | Leave a Comment »
I haven’t seen this documentary yet, but I look forward to checking it out. Here’s a preview:
An Open Letter to the State Government from the Women of Karnataka
Posted in Gender and sexuality, Women and feminism on 1 February 2009 | 5 Comments »
I found this to be a very persuasive statement, given the recent attack on women in a pub in Mangalore.
Why is there such an abhorrence for “pub culture”? Is it the dancing? The drinking? The mingling of males and females? The mingling of Muslims and Hindus? The carefree attitudes that [...]
Not cool, Air India
Posted in Gender and sexuality, News clippings, We All Live Downstream, Women and feminism, tagged the Times of India on 5 January 2009 | 1 Comment »
Air India sacks 10 air hostesses for being overweight
As the Times of India reports:
“For an 18-year-old air hostess with a height of 152 cm, the maximum weight permissible is 50 kg, while for air hostesses in the age group of 26 to 30 and a height of 152 cm, the weight limit is 56 kg.”
So, [...]
