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Non-ceremonial gift-exchange among didis in Kamathipura : Exploring gift-giving in Asia’s largest red-light district

González, Olga LU (2019) MIDM19 20191
Department of Human Geography
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
Everyday invisible and hidden non-ceremonial gifts are offered to ease challenges. These gifts create and enhance social bonds as people exchange with those they feel connected to and identify with. By answering the question “How is gift-giving used by female sex workers (FSWs) in Kamathipura?” the thesis explores how gift-exchange helps FSWs in Asia’s largest red-light district, cope with everyday hardships and how these practices affect their social bonds. Using semi-structured interviews, this study finds that FSWs exchange two types of gifts. The first are non-material in nature, like emotional support, care and knowledge. The others are material gifts like food, money, a means to avoid prison when detained by the police and physical... (More)
Everyday invisible and hidden non-ceremonial gifts are offered to ease challenges. These gifts create and enhance social bonds as people exchange with those they feel connected to and identify with. By answering the question “How is gift-giving used by female sex workers (FSWs) in Kamathipura?” the thesis explores how gift-exchange helps FSWs in Asia’s largest red-light district, cope with everyday hardships and how these practices affect their social bonds. Using semi-structured interviews, this study finds that FSWs exchange two types of gifts. The first are non-material in nature, like emotional support, care and knowledge. The others are material gifts like food, money, a means to avoid prison when detained by the police and physical security. A major finding of this study was that FSWs exchange client referrals and warnings about dangerous customers. It was observed that the purpose of exchanging gifts was so that one day, when needed, they may get back the support they once gave. Lastly, these exchanges were found to maintain and strengthen their social bonds. The lack of them, on the contrary, hinders the creation of perdurable social relations. Furthermore, among the women who exchange alliances of care, empathy and protection were found, denoting community spirit. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
González, Olga LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20191
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Gift-exchange, gift-giving, sex workers, Kamathipura
language
English
id
8976143
date added to LUP
2020-04-14 11:08:03
date last changed
2020-04-14 11:08:03
@misc{8976143,
  abstract     = {{Everyday invisible and hidden non-ceremonial gifts are offered to ease challenges. These gifts create and enhance social bonds as people exchange with those they feel connected to and identify with. By answering the question “How is gift-giving used by female sex workers (FSWs) in Kamathipura?” the thesis explores how gift-exchange helps FSWs in Asia’s largest red-light district, cope with everyday hardships and how these practices affect their social bonds. Using semi-structured interviews, this study finds that FSWs exchange two types of gifts. The first are non-material in nature, like emotional support, care and knowledge. The others are material gifts like food, money, a means to avoid prison when detained by the police and physical security. A major finding of this study was that FSWs exchange client referrals and warnings about dangerous customers. It was observed that the purpose of exchanging gifts was so that one day, when needed, they may get back the support they once gave. Lastly, these exchanges were found to maintain and strengthen their social bonds. The lack of them, on the contrary, hinders the creation of perdurable social relations. Furthermore, among the women who exchange alliances of care, empathy and protection were found, denoting community spirit.}},
  author       = {{González, Olga}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Non-ceremonial gift-exchange among didis in Kamathipura : Exploring gift-giving in Asia’s largest red-light district}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}