A Kaleidoscope of Malaysian Indian Women’s Lived Experiences : Gender‐Ethnic Intersectionality and Cultural Socialisation

This book presents a compilation of chapters relating to the socio-cultural experiences of Malaysian Indian women. It includes a historical background covering Indian women’s migration to Malaya, and explores the lived realities of contemporary Indian women who are members of this minority ethnic group in the country. The authors cover a wide range of issues such as gender inequality, poverty, the involvement of women in performing arts, work, inter‐personal relationships, and well-being and happiness, drawing on substantial empirical data through a gendered lens. This book addresses the gap in the intersectional gender studies literature on minority groups of women in Malaysia, while simultaneously highlighting the multiple forms of subordination minority women - particularly Indian women - experience in society, including those that arise from gender‐ethnic intersectionality. In examining the case of Indian women in Malaysia, it also speaks to and enriches existing literature on the lives of minority groups of women in the Global South more broadly This anthology is beneficial to researchers and students in the social sciences, particularly in disciplines related to gender studies and minority studies. In addition, it is also useful for policy makers and social activists working with minority women in the Global South. Standing on the Shoulders of Our Sisters Contents Editors and Contributors Introduction Gender and Ethnic Inequality: An Overview Demographic Profile of Malaysia Malaysian Indians: Gender and Ethnic Gaps Structure of the Book References Colonial Era and the Early Years of Independence Migration of Indian Women to Malaya: Socio-Economic Status and Sense of Nationalism, 1900–1957 Introduction The Migration Experience Socio-Economic Status of Indian Women in Malaya Capitalist Exploitation Consumption of Toddy Education Economy Sense of Nationalism among Indian Women in Malaya Life during Japanese Occupation Estate Strikes after Japanese Occupation Conclusion References “Indian Mothers, ‘Chinese’ Daughters”: Child Adoption in Pre-Independence Malaysia and Singapore Introduction Reasons for Giving Up and Reasons for Adopting a (Girl) Child Becoming ‘Indian’ Conclusion References Politics, Economics and Work Intersectionality and Indian Women’s Political Participation in Malaysia Introduction Malaysian Women and Political Leadership Indian Women’s Participation in Party Politics in Malaysia Intersectionality and Indian Women’s Political Participation Avenues of Political Participation of Indian Women Policy Recommendations Conclusion References The Impoverishment of Malaysian Indian Women: A Capability Approach Perspective Introduction: Capability Approach as Framework Cultural Socialisation of Malaysian Indian Women: A Brief Perspective Methodology Findings and Discussion Capabilities Functionings Agency Conclusion References Female Indian Classical Dance Practitioners in Malaysia: Labour and Visibility Introduction Methodology Women in the Indian Classical Dance Scene in Malaysia Visibility and Labour Women as Dance Gurus (Teachers) Women as Public Performers Women as Producers Conclusion References Negotiating Femininity and Empowerment: Experiences of Professional Malaysian Tamil Women Introduction Femininity Methods Findings Realising Empowerment Space and Decision-Making Traditional Values and Gender Roles Discussion: Balancing Traditional Femininity and Empowerment Conclusion References Health and Well-Being An Intersectional Case Study Analysis of Malaysian Indian Women with Endometriosis: Coping with Discrimination Introduction Endometriosis Gender and Indian Ethnic Identity Intersectional Framework Methodology Case Study Case Study Selection Case Study 1 Case Study 2 Case Study 3 Ethical Consideration Interview Design Findings Suppression of Freedom Influence of Cultural and Gender Taboos Action and Involvement with Courage and Support Discussion and Conclusion References Surviving Body Shaming: An Auto-ethnography of a Malaysian Indian Woman Introduction My Childhood My School Days My Working Life My Personal Life Searching for Identity My Journey Conclusion References Happiness and Meaning in Life Among Indian Female University Students Introduction Happiness Meaning in Life Cultural Aspect of Happiness and Meaning in Life Malaysian Indian Women as a Specific Cultural Group This Study Methodology Participants Procedure Interview Questions Findings Profile of the Respondents Happiness Meaning of Happiness Current State of Happiness Domains of Happiness Sources of Happiness Meaning in Life Meaningfulness of Life The Meaning in Life Searching for Meaning in Life Discussion and Conclusion References Travel Tales of Malaysian Indian Women: Transcending the Invisible Boundaries with Technology Introduction Malaysian Indian Women (MIW) Travelling and Middle-Class MIW Constraints Imposed by Culture: Hierarchical Leisure Constraints Model Negotiating Travel Constraints via Technology Methodology Findings It Starts with Me... It’s About My Family, Religion, and Culture... It’s About the Essentials... Discussion Conclusion References Religion and Gender Equality Gender Equality or Inequality: Where Do Malaysian Sikh Women Stand in Their Community? Background Theoretical Perspectives Women and the Advent of Sikhism Gender in Sikhism Sikhs in Malaysia The Way Forward Implications Conclusion References A Phenomenology of the Lives of Malaysian Sikh Women: Their Roles and Status in the Private Domain Introduction Authority-Defined Gender Ideology Punjabi Patriarchal Culture: Homeland Traditions Phenomenological Approach Lived Journey of Sikh Women in the Domestic Sphere Normalisation of Sex Roles Maintaining Family Social Image Transmission of New Culture Paradoxes of Sikh Women’s Life Conclusion and Recommendations Appendix References