Do Inequalities Play a Role In India's Poverty Rate? by Chris https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av en-us 2016-03-11 02:59:12 UTC 2023-10-14 19:46:53 UTC hello@padlet.com http://www.touring-india.com/images/travel-map.jpg Gender Inequalities? chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/100381701 Women in India are supposed to to have equality but due to patriarchal social order and centuries of traditions women do not receive equality.]]> 2016-03-11 03:07:39 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/100381701 chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/100382375 2016-03-11 03:16:19 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/100382375 Does the caste system create inequality in India and therefore add to the poverty rate? chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/100382784 The caste system is unique to India and is made up of a complex system of social divisions. There have been laws passed trying to equal out the social hierarchy but the caste system is still very much a functioning part of Indian life, culture, and politics.]]> 2016-03-11 03:22:28 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/100382784 Women trying to work: chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/100484450 For many women in India working is not an option. This is especially true within the lower social classes. The Scheduled Tribes of remote villages are deeply entrenched in tradition. For some of these villages the custom of begging to survive is more desired than a female going out and getting a job. The village male elders can try to prevent them from working. 
The New York times author, Ellen Barry, recently wrote of a group of such women and their fight for the right to keep working at a meat processing plant. As a result of their battle to keep working they, and their families, were threatened and abused and ultimately ostracized from their village. They were even treated like ghosts by their own extended family members. The women finally won the right to keep working in court however the elders and men in the village, that did not agree with this ruling, threatened to kill the women and hospitalized one woman's husband. After this incident, the women no longer tried to fight against the customs of their village. 
Barry wrote that according to statistics the percentage of women in the workforce in India is dropping. According to her research this percentage had dropped from 37% to 27% from 2005-2012.]]> 2016-03-11 15:24:18 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/100484450 What are the "Social Classes" in India? chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/100488138 The social classes are characterized by religion and caste.
For 80% of India's population their social class is determined by the caste system and is determined by birth and consists of those practicing Hinduism. The social order within the caste system are the Brahmins; Kshatriyas; Vaisyas; Satras/or "Other backward class". The first three make up the high caste with the last being the lowest caste. Then the Dalits or the "untouchable" fall outside of the caste system. 
Other Social classes:
  • The Scheduled Castes-lower castes
  • The Scheduled Tribes, called the Adivasis-lower castes
  • The Muslims- Largest minority group
  • The Sikhs, Jains, and Christians- Smaller minority groups

]]> 2016-03-11 15:36:32 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/100488138 Caste system chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/100497117 2016-03-11 16:05:09 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/100497117 chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/101907698 2016-03-20 19:12:47 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/101907698 Female equality ... chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/101908648 2016-03-20 19:28:12 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/101908648 References: chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/101908769 Barry, Ellen. "In India, a Small Band of Women Risk It All for a Chance to Work." The New York Times. The New York Times, 30 January 2016. Web. 24 February 2016. 

Borooah, Vani K. "Social Identity and Educational Attainment: The Role of Caste and Religion in Explaining Differences between Children in India." Journal of   Development  Studies 48.7 (2012): 887-903. Academic Search Premier. Web. 03 April 2012 

George, Nirmala. "Amnesty Criticizes India for Intolerance of Dissent." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2016. Web. 25 Feb. 2016.

Joseph, Manu. "Smart Cities Could Hold Hope for India's Rural Poor." The New York Times. The New York Times, 09 Sept. 2015. Web. 23 Mar. 2016.

McCarthy, Julie. "India Sends Soldiers To Area Of Caste Protest; At Least 10 Dead." NPR. NPR, 21 Feb. 2016. Web. 25 Feb. 2016.

McCarthy, Julie. "Protests Widen As India Debates When Speech Is Sedition." NPR. NPR, 16 Feb. 2016. Web. 23 Mar. 2016.

PTI. "Literacy Rate at 71% in Rural India, 86% in Urban: Survey - The Economic Times." The Economic Times. NSSO, 30 June 2015. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.

Reddy, D. Narasimha, A. Amarender Reddy, and M. C. S. Bantilan. "The Impact of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) on Rural  Labor Markets and Agriculture." India Review 13.3 (2014): 251-73. Academic Search Premier. Web. 13 Aug. 2014 

Varkkey, Biju, and Rupa Korde. "Gender Pay Gap in the Formal Sector in India (2006-2013)." Gender Pay Gap in India 2013. Wage Indicator Data Report, Sept. 2013. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.

Wagner, Laura. "Happy International Women's Day! India To Induct Female Fighter Pilots." NPR. NPR, 08 Mar. 2016. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.

Wood, Michael. "The Indian Caste System - An Introduction." YouTube. BBC Documentary, 18 Oct. 2011. Web. 23 Mar. 2016.

"Literacy And Level of Education." Census of India:. The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, 2011. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.

The World Bank Group. "Rural Population (% of Total Population)." Rural Population (% of Total Population). World Bank Group, 2016. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.]]> 2016-03-20 19:30:29 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/101908769 Work: Male vs Female chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/101909905 The type of work women in India do, the  conditions under which they work, and their opportunities for advancement often differs greatly from that of the men. Research has shown that If a woman can get a job through one of the government programs it is viewed as much more acceptable, as it is considered working for the government and viewed as a more respected position. Research on  government programs, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, has shown wage increases and a decrease in the male to female wage difference within these programs. However, the percentage of women among the highly paid and valued jobs is still very small.

Research has shown that even when women are working the same job as a male co-worker she is paid less and often has to work longer hours. Statistics show that the gap is closing between gender diverse pay, however; the gender pay gap in India for the year 2013 was still  24.81%.]]> 2016-03-20 19:53:09 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/101909905 chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/101917980 2016-03-20 22:05:40 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/101917980 Education: Male vs Female chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/101918161 In India there is a considerable gap between male and female literacy rates. 83% of the overall male population of India is literate versus 67% of the overall female population. The gap is closing but not fast enough. This gap is keeping many Indian families in poverty and is keeping the nation behind in its efforts to grow and develop. There is a huge difference in literacy rates between the different states. With literacy rates being the highest in the more developed/ urbanized states and the lowest in the least developed states.
 
 Unfortunately due to the patriarchal social order and traditions male children are favored over female children. More families are willing to put more effort and expense into getting their sons to a school, even if it is not close to their village, but are often not willing to go through the effort and expense for a female child. This causes issues later as an uneducated adult female will not understand the importance of education for her own children.

 
]]> 2016-03-20 22:09:09 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/101918161 Literacy rates Rural versus Urban chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/101918507 A survey done in 2015 showed that the literacy gap is shrinking between urban and rural areas however there is still a significant difference. Adult (15 years old and older) literacy rates in urban areas was at 64% versus 86% in urban areas. Once the combined ages from aged seven years and above are calculated the percentage increased to 71% for rural areas versus the 86% for urban areas. This data shows that the lack of higher education opportunities in rural areas has a significant impact on educational opportunity and literacy.
 
]]> 2016-03-20 22:14:14 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/101918507 Female Literacy Rate In India chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/101919024 2016-03-20 22:24:06 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/101919024 chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102309833 2016-03-22 20:51:08 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102309833 Educational gaps between different social classes:  chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102311340
  • Highest educational scores and admission to the best schools (I.e. private schools) are held by the high caste and the Sikh, Jain, and Christian households. 
  • Higher castes are able to afford better schooling than the lower classes. 
  • Parents within the upper classes are more likely to be educated  than the parents of the lower classes. Allowing the higher social groups greater economic strength.
  • Literacy rate comparisons: 81% for Brahmins, 64% for Other Backward Class, and 56% for Dalits.
  • Minority groups and lower classes often face humiliation, exclusion, and discrimination when placed in the same schools as the higher social classes.
  • Studies have shown that the inequality between social classes combined with the treatment of the lower classes could be the biggest cause of lack of success at school for the lower classes.
  • Studies have shown that educational opportunities for any of the different social classes could affect the ability to work and earn money as adults. As is the case anywhere, the more educated the adult the more likely they are to be successful economically. 
    • ]]>     2016-03-22 21:02:34 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102311340     Politics and Caste chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102316241 India has a Hindu nationalist government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Prime Minster has come under much global criticism lately for allowing hundreds of instances of violence to occur, especially since most cases were led by the Hindu majority classes against the Muslims and other minority classes. The government is being accused of encouraging the strains between religious groups.
    Current confrontations between the Hindu nationalists and those in favor of free-speech is a current example being used by many claiming that this is the upper class government trying to control the lower classes by preventing their ability to express themselves and their concerns. ]]>     2016-03-22 21:50:12 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102316241     Protest and violence breaking out because of the caste system. chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102318015 Recently India has had to deploy thousands of troop to control the protests and violence breaking out because of the caste system and groups wanting to be recategorized. Under India's constitution the government is obligated to contribute to the welfare of any caste that falls under the title of "Other Backward Class" by helping provide government jobs, college admission, and prevent discrimination. A recent example is the caste known as the Jats that live in Haryana, a northern state of India. This group wants to be recategorized to the lower caste of "OBC" in order to start receiving these benefits. However, in order for a group to have their caste changed to "Other Backward Class" they have to be found "socially and educationally disadvantaged" (McCarthy) and unfortunately the Jats are ranked fairly high in the social classification, playing a large role in agriculture and in the Haryana state assembly. India's fast growing population and lack of jobs are causing the Jat's unrest and their need for government assistance. The Jats are not alone, there are other castes in other states that also want to be recategorized to this lower caste. 
     There are some members of the "Other Backwards Class" that are upset over these castes wanting to be recategorized. They fear that if these groups are successful that the government will have to cut their benefits in order to provide for the new groups as well.]]>     2016-03-22 22:12:00 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102318015     chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102324932 2016-03-22 23:31:57 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102324932 chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102326459 2016-03-22 23:50:44 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102326459 Simple explanation of how the caste system works in India chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102489958 2016-03-23 19:09:03 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102489958 Are there Inequalities in the Village/Rural Life VS Urban Life? If so does it contribute to the poverty rate?... chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102498608 69% of India's population lives in rural areas versus the 31% living in Urban areas. However, many families and individuals are facing the decision to migrate to more urban areas. They are leaving in order to have a better life. There are more job opportunities, amenities, and basic infrastructures, such as roads, schools that provide higher than primary level education, and hospitals, in urban areas. Many villages do not have access to good schools or health facilities. This migration provides the children and the women more opportunities; benefiting the whole family as well as the individuals.]]> 2016-03-23 20:04:38 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102498608 Women in the workforce based on religion chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102688723 2016-03-24 22:55:53 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102688723 The government has placed into effect acts/programs to help improve rural employment. chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102688870 Studies are being done on these programs to see what kind of impact they are having and what kind of modifications might need to be made. 
     One such act, the Mahatma Gandhi Nation Rural Employment Guarantee Act,  was put in place to in order to reduce rural poverty as well as increase social security in the rural areas.
    This program was studied in depth, and included the social inclusion of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, in all of the 615 rural districts. Research found that due to involvement in the program there was an increase in employment in the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes households. Overall the study found that with more people working that there was a reduction to rural poverty. The research also showed that in agricultural areas the wages increased after the implementation of the program. 
     One side effect of the program was that farmers were having to offer better working conditions and higher wages in order to find workers willing to work for them instead of the program. The wage increase was benefiting the laborers, however it was showing signs of causing small farmers real harm and aiding in driving up inflation.]]>     2016-03-24 23:00:30 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102688870     chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102689129 2016-03-24 23:07:42 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102689129 Health Care differences: chrbaca https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102689261 2016-03-24 23:10:46 UTC https://padlet.com/chrbaca/fiwui0lf46av/wish/102689261