Pearl-women of Dhaka, Bangladesh

This is a study of the socio-economic situation of a section of Bangladeshi working women from the semi-nomadic group of the Shandar Bedey. Two hypotheses are presented here, (i) women's contribution toward the family fund enhanced their status in the family and, (ii) income-generation puts them in a disadvantageous position within the larger Bengali society. The methodology includes demographic survey of the area, structured questionnaire, interviews and informal discussions, and participant observation. Both random and purposive sampling were used for the selection of sample. The result of the investigation indicates that a majority of the Shandar families depend on women's income. Women who contribute their income toward the maintenance of the family and control it enjoy greater status and authority in the family. They participate also in major family decision-making. It became evident during the fieldwork that the Shandar want to assimilate into the larger society. In the Shandar society women enjoy freedom of movement that is necessary for their occupation. But presently Shandars are advocating the ideologies of purdah and patriarchy that view women working outside the home as the violation of social norms. While rich Shandar men are withdrawing their women from the labor force, the majority of the Shandar are still dependent on their women's income. The Shandar's emulation of the norms of the larger society indicates that this is a case of Sanskritization noticeable among the lower castes or classes desirous of an upward social mobility. It indicates also that as the financial condition of the family progresses the situation of their women regresses. The bias of the members of the larger society against the semi-nomadic groups makes it difficult for them to gain an entry. However, changes in the Shandar life styles show that a gradual assimilation of the Shandar into the Bengali society could possibly take place in the future.