Rajni Palriwala

Marriage, migration and gender

This is the final volume in the five volume series on Women and Migration in Asia. The articles in this volume bring a gender-sensitive perspective to bear on aspects of marriage and migration in intra- and transnational contexts. In particular, they consider: a) how, given specific rules of marriage and (post-marital) residence, the institution of marriage may itself entail womens migration; b) how marriage can be used as an individual and family strategy to facilitate migration, and conversely, how migration may become an important factor in the making of marriages; c) the fluid boundaries between matchmaking and trafficking in the context of migration; d) the political economy of marriage transactions; and finally, more broadly, e) the impact of intra- and transnational migration on the institution of marriage, family relations and kinship networks. While most of the articles here concern marriage in the context of transnational migration, it is important- given the reality of uneven development within the different countries of the Asian region - to emphasise the overlap and commonality of issues in both intra- and international contexts.

Marriage and Migration in Asia Gender Issues

The articles in this special issue bring a gender-sensitive perspective to bear on aspects of marriage and migration in intra- and transnational contexts. In particular they consider: (a) how given specific rules of marriage and (post-marital) residence the institution of marriage may itself entail womens migration; (b) how marriage can be used as an individual and family strategy to facilitate migration and conversely how migration may become an important factor in the making of marriages; (c) the fluid boundaries between matchmaking and trafficking in the context of migration; (d) the political economy of marriage transactions; and finally more broadly (e) the impact of intra- and transnational migration on the institution of marriage family relations and kinship networks. While most of the articles here concern marriage in the context of transnational migration we consider it important--given the reality of uneven development within the different countries of the Asian region--to emphasise the overlap and commonality of issues in both intra- and international contexts. (excerpt)

Debating Gender Inequalities: Culture, Economics and Choice:

This paper looks at a little-known part of Leela Dube’s writings through a debate between her and the economic historian, Dharma Kumar, on sex-selective abortion. Drawing on comparative and cross-cultural work on gender and kinship, Dube questioned the application of demandsupply dynamics to social relations and was prescient of later developments in the juvenile sex ratio. The paper argues that Dube and the debate draws attention to four themes that remain relevant to an understanding of sex ratios and gender relations. These are the significance and construction of the social, the depth, range and contours of diversity, understandings of preference, choice and agency, and state action and responsibility.

Book reviews and notices : N.K. SINGHI and R. JOSHI, eds., Folk, faith and feudalism : Rajasthan studies. Jaipur and New Delhi: Rawat Publications, 1995. pp. 381. Tables, notes, refs., Rs 500

imprinted in memory comprise fears that continue and in this sense do not sedimentise as remembrances of the past’ (p. 34). The terror is reproduced, as in recent times with the confrontation over janamsthans. Mayaram reveals a sophisticated understanding of the notion of collective identity. A single group does not have just one system of classification. Collectivities might have competing modes of interpretation and individuals have to negotiate these. Again, she argues that there are cross-cutting identities at individual and collective levels and these are, at any point of time, multiple and incomplete. Class and gender form further lines of fissure. Yet, the collectivity can and does prevail over the individual self, imposing consent where it is not tendered. Finally, identities may be thrust on a group: collectivities take on the definitions of themselves held by others in their social world, mark themselves in ways that are recognisable by others. Mayaram seeks to extend the terms of the debate centring around the rights of communities in the modern state. In her analysis of the present place of the ulama in the life of the Muslim community, she argues that they occupy a paradoxical position. On the