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India combines an ecosystem condition of limited resources pro capita and a
strong emphases on the value of male lineage causing fatal daughter
syndrome and an abnormally low ratio of females to males. Kerala is one
state within India without fatal daughter syndrome, where the ratio of
females to males is normal, and the demographic transition is nearly
complete. Matrilineage in Kerala supports gender equity while patrilineage
in India does not. Inasmuch as Kerala has shared with India the
consequences of low resources pro capita without an emphasis on the value
of male lineage, restrictions on gender equity in India can explain the
delay of the Indian demographic transition.
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A black/white dichotomy has historically dominated the concept of Western
racism. South Asian women, and other people of color, are consistently
portrayed as victim and those of European descent, as perpetrators. In
fact, following years of Euro/Western domination, South Asian women act out
racist behaviors vis-a-vis eurogamy. Eurogamy is a form of selective
exogamy, whereby men of European descent are idealized. In an effort to
assimilate, South Asian women then act out racist behaviors by assuming the
psychological demeanor of their Euro/Western oppressors. The inability of
scholars to acknowledge its existence is reinforcing. Resolution will
require a more encompassing perspective of racism and South Asian women
dialogue should confront this issue directly.
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