A comprehensive analysis on the status of widows in India with special emphasis on parenthood and

remarriage
(Paper towards fulfilment of Mid-term project in Sociology I)

SUBMITTED BY:
AAMANI GOLAY (Roll No:1843)
SIDDHANT RATHOD (Roll No: 1943)

SUBMITTED TO:
Dr. Asha Bhandari, Faculty of Sociology

SUBMITTED ON:
04/10/2021

NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY, JODHPUR

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................................. 4

ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................................ 5

SECTION A ........................................................................................................................................ 6

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 7
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM .......................................................................................................... 8
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROBLEM ....................................................................................................... 8
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ..................................................................................................................... 9
STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS ............................................................................................................. 9
ASSUMPTIONS ................................................................................................................................. 9
LIMITATIONS .................................................................................................................................. 10
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY............................................................................................................. 10
DEFINITION OF TERMS .................................................................................................................... 11

SECTION B ...................................................................................................................................... 12

DESIGN OF THE STUDY .................................................................................................................... 12

SOURCES OF DATA.......................................................................................................................... 13
SAMPLING PROCEDURES ................................................................................................................ 13
METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION..................................................................................................... 14
STATISTICAL TREATEMENT .............................................................................................................. 14

SECTION C ...................................................................................................................................... 15

LITERATURE REVIEW....................................................................................................................... 15

SECTION D...................................................................................................................................... 16

ANALYSIS OF DATA AND RESEARCH ................................................................................................. 17

THEORATICAL ANALYSIS ................................................................................................................. 21
SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY ............................................................................................................ 22

SECTION E ...................................................................................................................................... 24

SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................................... 24
RESTATEMENT OF PROBLEM .......................................................................................................... 24
RESTATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS .................................................................................................... 24
DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURES ..................................................................................................... 24
MAJOR FINDINGS ................................................................................................................................. 24
CONCLUSIONS....................................................................................................................................... 25
RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................................................... 25

2
SECTION F ...................................................................................................................................... 26

GLOSSARY ...................................................................................................................................... 26
BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................................... 26
ARTICLES ..................................................................................................................................................... 26
BOOKS......................................................................................................................................................... 26
ONLINE MATERIALS .................................................................................................................................... 26

3
 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Cumulative table of responses recorded regarding social perceptions regarding widows.

Table 2: Cumulative table of responses recorded regarding widow remarriage being seen as
taboo

Table 3: Cumulative table of responses recorded regarding knowledge of legal framework

centered around widows.

4
 ABSTRACT

As India strives towards rapid economic and infrastructural development, it is constantly

reminded and withheld by its social reality that is based on a rigid, age-old social system.
Widows as a category of people have faced a lot of issues since the pre-independence era, and
while the Independence of India brought with it some development and progress in their
favour, in Modern India they still face a lot of problems. The Indian family as a social structure
is well known for providing emotional and physical support to its extended family members,
yet it frequently fails to respond to the needs of women, particularly for women in difficult
situations, such as widows. The Hindu Widow's "un auspiciousness" is well-known. She is
labelled as a woman who failed to protect her husband's life. Widows do not receive
socioeconomic assistance, nor do they receive counselling or emotional support from family or
community while they are in pain. Indian widows are frequently overlooked, despite their
economic contribution and unpaid family work in the home. Widows in our country are denied
benefits under pension programmes due to corruption. They are dealing with a variety of issues
in their lives.

The social pressures and discriminatory behavior faced by widows has infested the Indian
society for a long time, to the extent that the practice has become synonymous with our
everyday life. However, with the development of legal parlance directly dealing with the
abolishment of this social evil, as well as the onset of modernity and liberal chain of thoughts,
the prevalence of different treatment of widoes as a discriminatory practice has vaned. Or has
it? The present study has been conducted in an attempt to understand and compare the
changing perception of widow remarriage and parenthood from the urban and rural points of
view. The study presupposes that while the prevalence of discrimination towards widows has
lessened in urban areas, the same is not the case in rural areas where the practice holds as much
significance as before.

To verify this assumption, data has been collected from a sample comprising respondents from
rural and urban areas. The sample was chosen through the Stratified Random Sampling
Method, as respondents were identified on the basis of their age primarily and also area of

5
residence, while the data has been collected through both quantitative method (questionnaire)
as well as qualitative method (structured interviews) of data collection.

Following the completion of the study, the researchers came to a conclusion. That the lifestyle
of widows is difficult and is impacted by the fact that after the deaths of their husbands, society
puts a great emphasis on their widowhood and uses it as a sort of identifier. Although the
instances of discrimination against widows in urban areas has significantly reduced, in rural
areas, widows still tend to face some degree of ostracisation and can be treated as social
pariahs.

SECTION A
6
INTRODUCTION
In India, widows' health and well-being is an essential but under-reported aspect of public
health and women's rights. Widows make up 9% of the female population (nearly 34 million
women), according to the 2001 Census, but scholars and policymakers have paid little attention
to them. This could be attributed to an overemphasis on women's 'instrumental' (rather than
intrinsic) importance in society, religious symbolism of widowhood in India, and the
perception that widows are a private affair rather than a social problem. There is a need for a
greater knowledge of widows that goes beyond dramatic situations like sati (widow burning) to
cover the more subtle but prevalent deprivations. In India, widows have been designated as a
vulnerable population, but what does this vulnerability entail? Simply becoming a widow
diminishes a woman's social status, as she dies a "social death" when her husband dies; she
may even be considered as unlucky, especially if she is too young or married too soon.
Widows encounter additional obstacles as a result of a combination of social limitations and a
lack of social assistance. These issues have been well documented and include social isolation
due to their obligation to remain in their husband's village, job restrictions, legal difficulties in
defending their rights to their husband's property, insufficient support from their husband's
family, and limited economic support due to the absence of an adult son. The circumstances
and ramifications of a woman's husband's death, as well as the health and welfare outcomes of
widows, are relatively unknown. There is some evidence, based on economic and demographic
research conducted in the 1990s, indicating widows have a higher mortality rate and are more
impoverished. Widows also confront a high incidence of poverty and social misery, according
to ethnographic studies.

Women who are widows are subjected to a series of constraints that makes them more
vulnerable. The shame of becoming a widow, which is worsened by some causes of death (e.g.,
suicide; HIV/AIDS), where they may be blamed for their husbands' death, can be devastating
for a woman. Widows are frequently socially marginalised; they are not permitted to attend
functions or participate in any activities. Their own family members frequently discourage
them. The most prevalent problem experienced by widows is that they are not supported and
are frequently disregarded by their in-laws, which proves to be a big impediment to their
development. The prevalence of social discrimination against widows in a society is
determined by the people's views and perceptions. Widows' protection and well-being is a
matter of not just financial security, but also of dignity, bravery, and social participation. In
7
most situations, widows face various forms of social isolation, psychological maltreatment, or
extremely stressful circumstances as a result of the social order's or ancestral possessions'
obvious intimidation. The general populace has long viewed widows with suspicion. There
have also been instances where they have been accused of murdering their husbands due to
their property and money. The pervasiveness of this attitude makes it difficult for them to
maintain a relationship based on respect and adoration. Widows have been subjected to a
variety of forms of violence and abuse. They are verbally and physically humiliated, harassed,
and denied engagement in weddings and other functions, and are sometimes ejected from their
homes. Widows' hair is cut off and they are forbidden from wearing makeup or jewellery,
among other things. Widows' rights are frequently overlooked. Such as the right to equal
justice and equal protection under the law, the right to maintenance, the right to equality in
marriage, the opportunity to claim property, and the right to a decent standard of living, among
others. Widows are sometimes forbidden from speaking with their own children. Male children
are typically given proper training and education by various family members, and they are
frequently involved with fulfilling employment commitments. Widows' lives are made difficult
by the lack of right.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

In light of this idea, the researchers aim to examine – The status of widows in India with respect
to social, economic and religious factors.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROBLEM

In a male-centric society like India, when the spouse of a woman expires, she is considered to be
burdensome for the whole family and is compelled to pursue her life as a hermit. This is mostly
seen when the woman belongs to a disadvantaged and marginalized community. Severe social
traditions and ceremonies are forced upon them, and they need to hold themselves from various
other regions. In India, a large portion of the widows are uninformed about their rights such as
rights regarding property, coparcenary, inheritance, etc. In spite of the fact that the rights
recommended in Hindu law texts in various frameworks, for example, Mitakshara and
Dayabhaga are increasingly unfortunate for women, many changes have made in the current
laws, for example, The Hindu Women’s Right To Property Act, 1937, Hindu Succession
(Amendment) Act, 2005, The Hindu Succession Act, 1956 and so on. The changes include the
amendment in Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005 which has given absolute interest as a

8
coparcener. According to of the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005, daughter has
likewise been made as a coparcener. According to Section 14 of The Hindu Succession Act,
1956, women’s bequest has ended and the old law of succession has also put an end by Sections
15 and 16.
Thus, the above-expressed Sections have really encouraged upliftment of women’s rights and
especially the widow’s property rights. Aside from the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, there are
various other Acts which have come under the spotlight for fortifying the situation of women
with respect to property rights. Simultaneously, such as Section 24 of The Hindu Succession
Act, 1956 have set down strict conditions for maintaining a strategic distance from enjoyment in
property rights by the ones who are not deserving. At this point when we thoroughly study the
Hindu Succession Act, 1956 with its amendment including during 2005, it is visible that
noteworthy and huge changes have been advanced which ultimately led to the change in the
condition of a widow in relation to coparcenary rights, legacy, and property rights.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. To evaluate why widows are treated differently from widowers similar to why single
mothers are treated differently from single fathers.
2. To provide a comparative analysis of the problems faced by the widows and single
mothers in our country by looking into the social, economic, political and religious
aspects that affect their living conditions directly.

3. To assess the effectiveness of measures taken by government authorities and voluntary

organizations to provide monetary and legal remedies to widows and single mothers

STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS
The magnitude of stigma and societal pressures that are borne by widows and single mothers are
more than their male counterparts. Thus making, their lives as a whole more difficult. This
hypothesis will be tested and confirmed or negated during the course of the study.

ASSUMPTIONS

1. The researchers are operating under the assumption that the respondents answered the

9
 questions honestly and to the best of their abilities because the respondents were given the
choice to fill the questionnaire under the umbrella of anonymity and were not asked for
any personal information without their consent.
2. The researchers are operating on the assumption that the respondents answered the
questions to the best of their abilities and did not provide socially colorable (neutral/false)
information because structured interviews were conducted by telephone to acquire
qualitative data from the respondents.

LIMITATIONS

The researchers were unable to do field research due to the COVID-19 pandemic and social
distancing conventions, and as a result, they were unable to contact the respondents in their
personal capacity. Although telephone interviews were used to obtain qualitative information
from respondents, it was not equivalent to the information that could have been obtained
through actual field work.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The researchers owing to the needs of the time have decided to use online survey as the
means to conduct the research and record the views of the people across difference spheres of
10
society with respect to the status of widows in India. Thus, the researchers will not only
particularly refer to widows, widowers, single fathers, single mothers, remarried
individuals.

In order to prove the hypothesis, the sample size that the researchers will focus on will range
between 45 to 50 people. This sample size may increase as the researchers will try to get
maximum responses. For the purpose of universalizing the hypothesis, the researchers have
collected the data substantiating the hypothesis from various metropolitan cities, towns, villages.
The sampling technique followed is purposive sampling. It involves purposive factor as the
researchers have deliberately chosen those who have awareness of discrimination occurring on
the basis of differing complexions in the society as they are relevant to prove the concerned
hypothesis.

The research is empirical in nature, i.e., strong reliance on objective observations and
quantitative methods of data collection. Further, the researchers have also incorporated
qualitative methods like 7 interviews to substantiate the hypothesis. Thestudy conducted is
cross-sectional.

The researchers have prepared a questionnaire containing a number of questions relevant to

the concerned hypothesis. The questions used are both open ended and close ended.

The sampling technique followed is purposive sampling. It involves purposive factor as the
researchers have deliberately chosen those who have awareness of the socio-economic, political
and religious stigmas that prevail in our society as they are relevant to prove the concerned
hypothesis.

The research is empirical in nature, i.e., strong reliance on objective observations and
quantitative methods of data collection. Further, the researchers have also incorporated
qualitative methods like 11 interviews to substantiate the hypothesis. The study conducted is
cross-sectional.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Widow: A widow is a woman whose spouse has died and who has not married again

Widower: A widow is a man whose spouse has died and who has not married again

11
Single Parent: a parent who lives with a child or children and no husband, wife, or partner

Remarriage: To marry again

Stigma: a mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain or reproach, as on one's reputation.

SECTION B

DESIGN OF THE STUDY

12
During the course of preliminary research, the researchers read various online articles that dealt
with the social perception of widows and their remarriage. These articles mainly focused on
aspects such as the status of widows, the impact of the loss of spouse, the struggles of being a
single mother and the issues faced by them in other aspects. In addition to this, several studies
were analyzed in order to get a better picture of the idea of widow remarriage in urban and rural
households specifically, and modern India in general.
A questionnaire was devised with the goal of performing a comparison of how people in urban
and rural areas viewed widows and their problems. Another aspect about which the researchers
wanted to learn more was the influence of initiatives like modern education and public
awareness campaigns on efforts to eliminate the social menace in these places. Both of these
goals were met thanks to the mediating variable, in this case the respondents' place of residence.
A total of 50 people were asked to complete the survey.
Furthermore, researchers felt compelled to back up the quantitative data gathered using the
aforementioned strategy with qualitative data. A total of ten people were questioned for this
purpose. The interview was conducted over the phone and was well-structured. The
questionnaire and interview findings were then analyzed, and the project report was written.
After rigorous examination, the results were provided in the form of percentages, with the
impact estimated for each of the above-mentioned occupational fields.

SOURCES OF DATA
For the purpose of data collection, 50 individuals were randomly selected. They were inquired
about how they perceived widows – their views on the subject-matter, experiences, knowledge
pertaining to the efforts made by institutions to help protect them, and so on, through
questionnaires and interviews. It is a cross- sectional study, and the time provided to fill the
questionnaire was 5 days. This data was collected through Google Forms, while the interviews
were conducted through telephones. In addition, the researchers pledge to maintain the
anonymity of respondents through the course of this study for those who chose to respond
anonymously. All the data was collected virtually since meeting respondents in persons was not
possible, owing to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

SAMPLING PROCEDURES
Probability sampling was used, using stratified random sampling to achieve a sample that is
really representative of the age of the respondents while also focusing on their area of residence,

13
age, marital status and educational qualifications.

METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION

The method employed were both qualitative (Interviews) and quantitative (Questionnaires).
The questionnaires were circulated through Google Forms and hence the results were stored in
the inbuilt response section of the Google Forms. The telephonic interviews were recorded for
the purpose of evidence. With respect to recording these interviews, the same was duly
communicated to the respondents and their consent was taken prior to the interview

STATISTICAL TREATEMENT
For the purposes of comparison between people from different gender, age groups, areas of
residence and educational qualifications persons, the questionnaire findings were transformed
into percentages.

14
 SECTION C

LITERATURE REVIEW

During the course of this study, the researchers referred to and read several articles, research
papers and other online materials to understand the history of discrimination against widows,
theories pertaining to its origin, the manner in which the practice affects people belonging to
these collectives, as well as its prevalence in modern India. In addition, laws and policies
formulated with the intention of curbing and subsequently eradicating the different and
discriminatory discrimination of widows and single mothers were also referred to and studied.

A successful marriage does not happen by accident. In India, widow remarriage is a significant
question and a difficult chore for women. The author of this study focuses on the issues that
widows experience, the influence of widow remarriage and its implications in society, and the
changes that it has brought as a new dimension of social transformation in India. The findings
clearly reveal that societal stigma against widows is not now practised in India. This is a positive
omen for the country's future development. Widows are allowed to work, attend celebrations,
and participate in ceremonies. The extent of widow suppression under the guise of widowhood
is rapidly dwindling.

In India, widow remarriage is common. Radhika Kapur, Ph.D. Widows account for a sizable
share of the female population around the world. There hasn't been enough research done on
their situation. The elderly, the bulk of whom were elderly widows who headed the
households, were the subjects of extensive research. As a result, younger widows were not
taken into account. The major goal of this study is to learn more about widow remarriage in
India. India has the world's biggest documented number of widows, at 33 million. Widows
make up 10% of the female population, compared to only 3% of men, and the number is
growing due to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and civil wars. Widowhood affects 54 percent of
women aged 60 and more, as well as 12 percent of women aged 35 to 39. Remarriage is more
of an exception than a norm; only approximately 10% of widows remarry.

Scholarly articles such as “Status of Women in India: A Historical Perspective” by Sophie M.

Tharakan, Michael Tharakan along with “Literature And History : Widow Remarriage As
Reflected In "Saraswatichandra"” were studied and analysed in order to develop and
15
understanding of the issue.

Other pieces referred to include “Perpetual mourning: Widowhood in Rural India.” By Chen
M., “Widows versus daughters of widows as daughters? Property, land and economic security
in rural India” by Agarwal B. and “Widowhood and poverty in rural India: some inferences
from household survey data” by Drèze J, Srinivasan PV..

Upon analyzing such exemplary works, the researchers noticed the manner in which the
definition accorded to the treatment of widows had changed over the years.

Further, according to studies regarding discrimination towards widows and its prevalence in
rural and urban areas respectively, it became clear that the menace of untouchability still
pervades the Indian society. Additionally, while the phenomenon is more prevalent in rural
areas, its existence in urban areas cannot be negated.

In an attempt to assess these findings, researchers sought to conduct a study through which the
current perception of a widow and single mothers life, its spread in urban and rural areas, as
well as the efficacy of efforts made to stall the practice were to be determined. The age of
residence of the respondents was held as the mediating variable, so as to provide a comparative
study regarding the aforementioned points.

SECTION D

16
ANALYSIS OF DATA AND RESEARCH
A questionnaire with a variety of questions about the status and perception of widows was
distributed to respondents, who were divided into two groups based on their area of residence:
urban and rural. The collection of questions was designed to learn more about the severity of the
entrenchment stigma in different communities, as well as their personal views on widow
remarriage and single parenthood. The responses were then gathered over a five-day period and
subjected to ongoing analysis by the researchers. The data was then transformed to a percentage
format to make comparisons and contrasts between responses from different occupational
categories easier.

Below is a full study of the responses.

Number of Respondents: 50
Male Respondents: 26
Female Respondents: 24

17 people filled the form anonymously due to which these people could not be traced back to
for interviews.

• Stigma and Pressure surrounding Widows

17
 The majority of respondents who participated in the study were of the view that the societal
pressures and stigmas are more on widows than on widowers, with 94% responses answering
in affirmative to the question asked. However, a small portion of respondents 6% were of the
view that widows do not face more pressure or stigmas than widowers.

Broadly, the reasons assigned by the respondents for their affirmative answers were a
partiarchal society, gender inequality, lack of awareness and education, social perspectives,
misogyny etc.

• Discriminatory Behavior Towards Widows

Some of the instances provided by respondents during interviews were social ostracization,
treating widows as damaged people or people who are incapable of existing independently or
taking care of themselves. These issues were seen to be especially prevalent in Rural Parts.

• Awareness Regarding Laws related to widows

18
Only 44% of respondents were surely aware of legislations relating to widows, this goes to show
that the awareness among the general public about the rights of widows is something that needs
to be improved and acted upon. 36% of the respondents did not know about laws relating to
widows at all. This means that important laws such as the widow remarriage act, legislations
regarding the inheritance by widows are not known to a portion of the population.

• Pressure on Single Mothers Compared to Fathers

86% of respondents believed that society does in fact put greater pressure on single mothers
than fathers. The reasons as provided in the interview were the gender roles assigned to women
due to which they are expected to take care of children irrespective of the circumstances they
may be in. Society is more accommodating of men’s shortcomings as single parents because
they don’t expect men to shoulder the burden of parenting at all, so they are lauded for doing
the bare minimum.

Societal pressures and Stigmas on a Widow

19
Table 1: Cumulative table of responses recorded regarding Social perceptions
regarding widows.

Do you think the societal Number %

pressures and stigma are
heavier on a widow than a
widower?
Yes 47 94%
No 3 6%

Table 2: Cumulative table of responses recorded regarding widow remarriage being seen
as taboo

Number %
Do you think remarriage of
widows is still seen as a taboo in
our society?
Yes 46 92%
No 4 8%

Table 3: Cumulative table of responses recorded regarding knowledge of legal

framework centered around widows.

20
 Are you aware about Number %
laws formulated to help
widows?
Yes 22 44%
No 18 36%
Maybe 10 20%

As a result, efforts to assist widows are bearing fruit. If any significant change is to occur,
however, these efforts must be direct, stringent, and long-term.

THEORATICAL ANALYSIS

Upon being widowed, individuals may experience a whole range of emotions including chaos,
anger, resentment, denial and disbelief. This may be followed by intense grief, and a search for
the lost person, and that usually happens in every society. Eventual acceptance of the death of
21
one's partner can lead to depression and apathy. To successfully survive, the widow has to
recognize her life in an entirely new and unexpected way. Under the hard social and economic
conditions, many widows fall into deep poverty from which the only escape is one's own death.
Such a status may be more severe even in the industrial societies where the network of family
relations does not function in a strong manner. As a social phenomenon, widowhood must have
been in existence if socially regulated marriage. The consequences of widowhood are many
and grave. Between birth and death of a person, the most important event in life being
marriage, it changes the personalities, the attitudes and lifestyle of men and women. Marriage
is entered into with great hopes and expectations. On the contrary, widowhood is the failure of
marital life, and therefore, it has serious repercussions on the individual, family, and the
community. Many researches and observations have shown the negative results of widow
hood. In a way, dissolution of marriage in the form of widowhood brings about personal,
familial, and social disorganization, and the effects of which are widespread

To further discuss the theoretical perspectives of later life widowhood, saw widowhood as a
"role-less status", lacking any culturally prescribed rights and duties to wards others in the
social system. On the other hand, Ferraro also in 1984 identified some changes within family
roles in the early stages of widowhood, particularly between mothers and daughters, when the
daughter might take on the "mothering" role for a period of time. However, the effects of "role
loss" in widowhood as Ferraro found, were not consistent, but were more likely to be the result
of other factors surrounding widowhood, such as poverty, ill health, and/or very old age, rather
than widowhood per se. Nevertheless, older women, though losing the role of "wife", but they
compensate for this loss by adopting to other roles. By using these theoretical ideas, we can
explore the cause-and-effect reflections of change in later life widowhood. Finally, life-cycle
theory rests on the belief that normal families go through normal stages of birth, growth, and
decline. Marriage initiates the family, the arrival of children develops and expands it, their
departure contracts it, and it ends with the death of one of the spouses

SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY

Social exchange theory propounded by Antonucci, (1985) identifies loss of reciprocity as a

condition under which social support may have negative con sequences. For example, the
support given to older widows, particularly by family, often leaves them in the role of passive

22
recipients, or patients receiving treatment, and can leave them feeling powerless and dependent.
Other social scientists like Watanabe Green and Field (1989), looked at the wellbeing of older
widows linked to support, also found that too much support and lack of reciprocity had a
negative effect on the women, perhaps because they felt they had less control. Such a focus on
reciprocity allows us to see older widows as active participants in their social w

23
 SECTION E

SUMMARY

RESTATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Do people of urban and rural areas differ in their perception of untouchability?

RESTATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS
The magnitude of stigma and societal pressures that are borne by widows and single mothers are
more than their male counterparts. Thus making, their lives as a whole more difficult. This
hypothesis will be tested and confirmed or negated during the course of the study.

DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURES
Following a detailed empirical research on the subject, we come to a conclusion that widows
do face a significant number of challenges in various aspects of their lifestyles due to the fact
that they are widows. They are found to be socially and economically disadvantaged.
Following the use of a cross-sectional research methodology, the researchers came at this
result. Both qualitative (structured, telephonic interviews) and quantitative (survey performed
via questionnaire) data gathering approaches were used.

A total of 50 people were chosen to fill out the survey. A total of eleven interviews were also
done. These telephonic interviews were taped for evidential purposes. The respondents were
given adequate notice of the situation, and their consent was obtained prior to the interview.

Probability Sampling - stratified random sampling was used as the sampling strategy.

MAJOR FINDINGS
Following the conclusion of the entire research process, the major findings from the study are as
24
follows –
• Widows are at a significant disadvantage socially and economically as a result of
being widowed.
• The level of awareness with respect to the legal rights and safeguards available to
widows is not very high, but it is not completely absent.
• The pressures of single parenthood are more strenuous on single mothers than single
fathers for a number of reasons which we foud through reading, surveying and
interviewing respondents.

CONCLUSIONS
The researchers have reached a conclusion that widows remain one of society's most
disadvantaged groups, with little influence in both the public and private sectors. In India, the
problem of widowhood is serious, both in terms of its emotional impact and the sheer number of
persons affected. In 2001, 18.5 lakh people, or 0.7 percent of the Indian population of 102 crore,
were widowed. According to census 2011 marriage data, this ratio has risen to 4.6 percent by
2011. There are now 5.6 crore widows out of 121 crore people, with women vastly
outnumbering men. Widows have historically been the most disadvantaged members of Indian
society, and the new figures should raise policymakers' awareness of this aspect of the country's
ageing population.

RECOMMENDATIONS
The following remedies are already enshrined in India's Constitution and can be used to help
widows in the country:
The Constitution contains laws to ensure gender equality, yet most widows are unaware of their
rights. It will be possible for widows to claim their rights and empower themselves if an effort is
made to educate them.
The widow's right to land and property, as well as the right to equality and the right to live in
dignity, might be recognised under Indian constitutional rules.
In addition, annual statistics on violence and abuse against widows in India should be collated
and provided to MPs in the Parliament so that social legislation to defend their rights can be
introduced.

25
 SECTION F

GLOSSARY

BIBLIOGRAPHY

ARTICLES
1. Tharakan, S. M., & Tharakan, M. (1975). Status of Women in India: A Historical
Perspective. Social Scientist, 4(4/5), 115–123. https://doi.org/10.2307/3516124
2. Patel, U. (1984). LITERATURE AND HISTORY : WIDOW REMARRIAGE AS REFLECTED
IN “SARASWATICHANDRA.” Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 45, 737–745.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/44140267
3. Dreze J., Srinivasan P.V., Widowhood and poverty in rural India: Some inferences from
household survey data. http://econdse.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/JD-Widowhood-and-
Poverty-in-Rural-India.pdf
4.
BOOKS
1. Chen, Martha. Perpetual Mourning: Widowhood in Rural India. Oxford University Press, 2001.

ONLINE MATERIALS
1. Sharma B. Boro U.S., A Comparative Analysis of Widows and Widowers in India

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