Analyzing the Status and Roles of Women in Indian Families

In Indian families, women have historically occupied a position that extends far beyond mere household tasks. They are caregivers, educators, nurturers, and emotional anchors who hold families together across generations. Yet, despite these vital contributions, women’s status within families has often remained secondary to men-a reality shaped by deep-rooted cultural norms, patriarchal traditions, and socio-economic factors. Understanding these dynamics is essential for healthcare professionals, social workers, and anyone committed to promoting gender equity.

Traditional roles of women in Indian families 🔗

In most parts of India, women’s primary responsibilities have historically centred on child-rearing, household management, and caregiving. Taking care of the home is traditionally considered the main responsibility of women, with their status strongly tied to roles as mothers and wives. Meanwhile, Indian men are expected to provide financial support throughout their lives.

Within the patriarchal framework that dominates Indian society, families typically follow patrilineal rules of descent, meaning lineage and inheritance pass through male members. Most young women are expected to move into their husband’s household after marriage, becoming responsible for domestic duties and caring for in-laws. The family patriarch-usually the father or eldest son-makes major decisions, while the mother or mother-in-law supervises daughters and daughters-in-law in the household hierarchy.

From an early age, girls are socialised to be self-sacrificing, accommodating, nurturing, and tolerant, while boys are raised to be assertive, independent, and dominant. These differing expectations create distinct pathways for men and women within the family structure, reinforcing traditional gender divisions.

The concept of “son preference” 🔗

One of the most significant manifestations of gender inequality in Indian families is the cultural preference for sons over daughters. This phenomenon exists because adult sons traditionally live with their parents and provide financial support, while daughters marry into other families. According to a Pew Research Center survey of nearly 30,000 Indian adults, approximately 94% of Indians say it is very important for families to have at least one son.

This son preference has serious consequences, including sex-selective abortions despite their illegality. India has long had one of the most skewed sex ratios at birth globally. According to census data, some states have recorded as many as 119 boys born for every 100 girls. These imbalances reflect deep-seated attitudes about the relative value of sons and daughters within family structures.

Women’s economic and social status in families 🔗

Despite contributing enormously to household functioning, women’s work within Indian families remains largely unrecognised and unpaid. Research indicates that more than 70% of Indian women are engaged in unpaid household chores and caregiving-activities classified as non-economic, which diminishes the perceived importance of their contributions and health needs.

In terms of economic participation, India has one of the lowest female labour force participation rates in the world. According to United Nations data, only about 21% of Indian women participate in the labour force compared to 53% globally. Within families, attitudes often support this disparity-a slim majority of Indians believe both men and women should earn money, but 43% still view this as primarily men’s responsibility.

Decision-making authority 🔗

Financial decision-making within families traditionally rests with male members. While survey data shows that roughly 73% of Indians believe both men and women should share responsibility for family financial decisions, significant minorities still favour male-dominated decision-making, particularly for major purchases and household expenses.

Perhaps most telling is that nearly nine-in-ten Indians agree that wives must always obey their husbands, with approximately 64% completely agreeing with this sentiment. Notably, Indian women themselves are only marginally less likely than men to hold this view-61% of women completely agree compared to 67% of men.

Impact of gender inequality on women’s health 🔗

The secondary status of women within families has profound implications for their health and wellbeing. Gender disparities affect access to healthcare, nutrition, and overall health outcomes throughout a woman’s life.

Maternal and reproductive health 🔗

Historically, India’s maternal mortality ratio was considerably higher than global averages. In 1990, the country recorded 556 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births compared to the global figure of 385. Government programmes like the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)-which provides cash transfers to women for institutional deliveries-have helped reduce these numbers significantly. By 2017, maternal mortality had declined to 122 per 100,000 live births.

However, substantial inequalities persist. Women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, rural areas, and lower castes face significant barriers to accessing quality maternal healthcare. Studies using National Family Health Survey data reveal that educated women with better economic status utilise maternal health services at much higher rates than their disadvantaged counterparts.

Nutrition and general healthcare 🔗

Anemia and undernutrition remain widespread among Indian women. Data from the National Family Health Survey indicates that over 53% of non-pregnant women aged 15-49 are anaemic. More than half of pregnant women in the same age group also suffer from anaemia-a basic, preventable condition that reflects systemic neglect of women’s health needs.

Research suggests that women in Indian families often receive less healthcare attention than men. Studies have found that the average inpatient healthcare expenditure for males is approximately 1.5 times higher than for females. When families must allocate limited resources, they frequently prioritise male members’ health needs over female members’.

Regional and religious variations 🔗

Attitudes toward women’s roles vary significantly across India’s diverse regions and religious communities. Southern states like Kerala generally show better outcomes for women in education and health, though attitudes about gender roles within families are not uniformly more progressive than in northern Hindi Belt states.

Religious differences also influence gender attitudes. Survey data indicates that Muslims are more likely than other religious groups to support traditional gender roles, while Sikhs and Buddhists tend to favour more equal distribution of family responsibilities. Education plays a crucial role across all groups-college-educated Indians consistently express less traditional views about gender roles than those with less formal education.

Efforts to elevate women’s status 🔗

Recognising the need to address gender inequality, the Indian government has implemented numerous schemes and policies targeting women’s empowerment.

Key government initiatives 🔗

The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child) programme, launched in 2015, aims to prevent sex-selective practices and ensure educational opportunities for girls. The National Commission for Women was established in 1992 to address inequalities women face, particularly regarding violence, family matters, and guardianship.

Healthcare-focused programmes include:

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) – offers cash assistance to women from below-poverty-line families to reduce maternal and infant mortality through institutional deliveries.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana – provides cash incentives to pregnant and lactating women for their first pregnancy to improve maternal and child nutrition.

One Stop Centres (Sakhi Centres) – offer integrated services for women affected by violence, including medical aid, legal counselling, and temporary shelter.

Economic empowerment schemes include the Stand-Up India programme, which facilitates bank loans for women entrepreneurs, and the Support to Training and Employment Programme (STEP), which provides skill development training.

Constitutional and legal protections 🔗

Article 15(3) of the Indian Constitution allows positive discrimination in favour of women, enabling special provisions for their advancement. The Directive Principles of State Policy further mandate that both men and women should have equal rights to adequate livelihoods. Despite these legal frameworks, implementation remains inconsistent, and cultural attitudes often lag behind legal provisions.

The path forward 🔗

Changing deeply entrenched attitudes about gender roles requires sustained efforts across multiple fronts. Education emerges as a critical factor-evidence consistently shows that educated women have better health outcomes, greater economic participation, and more egalitarian households.

Healthcare professionals play a vital role in this transformation. By providing women with accurate information about their health rights, encouraging family involvement in maternal care, and advocating for equitable resource distribution within families, nurses and other healthcare workers can contribute to gradual attitudinal shifts.

Survey data suggests that change is occurring, albeit slowly. Between 1998 and 2006, the share of married women reporting that husbands mainly decided how to use their earnings halved significantly. While progress has been slower since then, the trend toward more egalitarian family dynamics continues.

What do you think? How can healthcare professionals balance respect for family traditions with promoting gender equity in their interactions with patients? What role should nursing education play in preparing future nurses to address gender-based health disparities?

References

1. https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/indian-culture/indian-culture-family
2. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2022/03/02/how-indians-view-gender-roles-in-families-and-society/
3. https://journals.lww.com/ijph/fulltext/2020/64040/inequality_in_health_and_social_status_for_women.1.aspx
4. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2022/03/02/gender-roles-in-the-family/
5. https://www.theigc.org/blogs/gender-equality/women-and-health-india
6. https://www.ncw.gov.in/publications/women-centric-schemes-by-different-ministries-of-government-of-india-goi/
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welfare_schemes_for_women_in_India