Gender Beliefs And Capability Deprivation: A Study Among Indian Women In Penang, Malaysia
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Date
2020-03
Authors
Saigaran, Nithiya Guna
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
This thesis investigates poor and non-poor Indian women’s gender beliefs
and capability deprivation in Penang, Malaysia. The objectives of this study are to
identify the most common gender beliefs among poor and non-poor Indian women;
determine the levels of capability deprivation of poor and non-poor Indian women;
examine the relationship between gender beliefs and capability deprivation and
explicate determining factors between gender beliefs and capabilities of poor and
non-poor Indian women. Mixed- method design was utilized for this study and data
were gathered using survey questionnaires from 300 respondents and in-depth
interviews with 24 participants from two districts in Penang: Seberang Perai Tengah
and Timur Laut. The findings revealed that the most common gender beliefs of poor
and non-poor are traditional beliefs and egalitarian beliefs, respectively. Poor Indian
women experienced higher levels of deprivation compared to non-poor Indian
women. In addition, there was a positive correlation between gender beliefs and the
overall capability deprivation and also with gender beliefs and deprivation of each
capability. Four themes were identifiied in explaining the interconnection between
gender beliefs and capability deprivation, which are cultural norms, parents as role
models, resource allocation among gender and punishments and rewards. This study
has expanded the body of knowledge which is much needed by explicating
Malaysian Indian women’s deprivation from the gender perspective.
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Keywords
Social sciences