Globalization: How It Changed the Traditional Indian Woman

Response Paper

Globalization: How it changed the Traditional Indian Woman

While most people think of globalization changing a country in terms of economics, it also can affect a countries cultural practice as well. It is responsible for connecting different regions and cultures around the world. Globalization and mass media has directly impacted India's traditional values and norms. People acquire their identity based on events, practices, styles and information seen in mass media. By acquiring your own identity it provides someone with a sense of fitting into a worldwide culture. There are arguments that globalization has had a both positive and negative effect on the Indian woman. One of the positive effects, in my opinion, of globalization in India is that it provided an even playing field for gender equality. Whereas once women in India were exploited and disregarded, now they are finding a new place in society. Women are seeking out their right to education and forging new roles for themselves. In the paper by Lukose, "Consuming Globalization: Youth and Gender in Kerala, India", we see that women in India are now no longer regarded by just the traditional role of a wife, mother or homemaker and now are seen as movie stars, pop-singers and even as a Miss Universe. These new roles have emerged a new breed of the Indian woman.

Some argue that while globalization has produced a new breed of women, it has also had a negative effect on women in India. By introducing the world of pageants to the women of India, there was the fear that instead of a woman developing as an "independent-minded modern miss", women would instead be fixated on "looking good" (Lukose). Globalization can be blamed for the lack of knowledge when it comes to Indian traditions. While reading "Consuming Globalization: Youth And Gender In Kerala, India", the author pointed out that during the interview process of the pageant, that when the contestants were asked questions about cultural history and traditions, the women could not provide any answers. While spectators were not opposed to the display of pageantry, they felt that if a woman is to represents the region then she needs to be a true representation instead of just a model.

In conclusion, globalization will continue to find its way into all aspects of a culture. While globalization can be a force for great change, it can also have devastating effects on the extinction of traditions.