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The Paradox of Modernity : A study of girl discrimination in urban Punjab, India

Nilsson, Marie (2004)
Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University
Abstract
This study has brought attention to the paradox of modernity, in which certain elements of tradition tend to survive the forces of modernisation and may even, as in this case, be amplified in society. The study demonstrated that modernity, when seen from a gendered perspective generates processes and results that favour men, not women. It has also argued that India is in a transition period, between the traditional and modern India, where old norms and expectations clash with modern ideas. The paradox of modernity was illustrated by the phenomenon of sex selection favouring sons over daughters at birth. With the purpose of examining attitudes towards son preference among urban middle class youth, the study has highlighted a situation in... (More)
This study has brought attention to the paradox of modernity, in which certain elements of tradition tend to survive the forces of modernisation and may even, as in this case, be amplified in society. The study demonstrated that modernity, when seen from a gendered perspective generates processes and results that favour men, not women. It has also argued that India is in a transition period, between the traditional and modern India, where old norms and expectations clash with modern ideas. The paradox of modernity was illustrated by the phenomenon of sex selection favouring sons over daughters at birth. With the purpose of examining attitudes towards son preference among urban middle class youth, the study has highlighted a situation in which modern and traditional views coexist in a sometimes paradoxical and contradictory manner.

The analysis was based on field work conducted in Punjab in northern India, September - October 2004. Primary data was collected through focus groups discussions with university students and semi structured interviews with various other actors. The essay identified themes which are crucial components in the phenomenon of sex selection, themes which exemplify the paradox of modernity. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Nilsson, Marie
supervisor
organization
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
India, Punjab, modernity, tradition, gender, sex selection, Social sciences, Samhällsvetenskaper
language
English
id
1331381
date added to LUP
2005-12-28 00:00:00
date last changed
2005-12-28 00:00:00
@misc{1331381,
  abstract     = {{This study has brought attention to the paradox of modernity, in which certain elements of tradition tend to survive the forces of modernisation and may even, as in this case, be amplified in society. The study demonstrated that modernity, when seen from a gendered perspective generates processes and results that favour men, not women. It has also argued that India is in a transition period, between the traditional and modern India, where old norms and expectations clash with modern ideas. The paradox of modernity was illustrated by the phenomenon of sex selection favouring sons over daughters at birth. With the purpose of examining attitudes towards son preference among urban middle class youth, the study has highlighted a situation in which modern and traditional views coexist in a sometimes paradoxical and contradictory manner.

The analysis was based on field work conducted in Punjab in northern India, September - October 2004. Primary data was collected through focus groups discussions with university students and semi structured interviews with various other actors. The essay identified themes which are crucial components in the phenomenon of sex selection, themes which exemplify the paradox of modernity.}},
  author       = {{Nilsson, Marie}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The Paradox of Modernity : A study of girl discrimination in urban Punjab, India}},
  year         = {{2004}},
}