This article examines the notion of "ideal households" by comparing different households in north... more This article examines the notion of "ideal households" by comparing different households in northwestern Nepal. Such households reflect changing social position as a result of foreign aid and education. Previously in northwestern Nepal, caste was used for classification but now it is based on development and education. New categories are emerging, which include "educated person," "illiterate person," "hard work" (physical labor), and "easy work" (desk work). Households where men (mainly fathers) are of high caste, very educated, and engage in "easy work" (desk work) are idealized. There are many households which do not follow the norm because they have young, highly educated, high-caste men pursuing "hard work" (physical labor) due to their inability to obtain high-paying jobs. They may desire "easy work" (office work), but they have no connections to powerful men. These cases are few in number. Such men either continue with their studies according to their families' wishes or quit the idea of "easy work" (office work) and get a job that does not require education or connections. There are still other types of households that are far from the ideal where illiterate dalit (untouchable) men engage in "hard work" (physical labor). They are skilled and work hard. They are earnest about their children's education. Currently, there is no dalit salaried employee in the village, but it is possible that in future educated dalit children secure "easy work" (office work). In the village, many people imagine that life is rich and easy in foreign countries. Villagers often say that "There has been much development in foreign countries and in Nepalese cities-not in northwestern Nepal or Nepalese villages in general." There are differences between foreign countries and Nepalese villages. Villagers share a compass that points to "much developed," "little
This paper examines the strategies and subsistence activities of female-headed Chhetri households... more This paper examines the strategies and subsistence activities of female-headed Chhetri households in a Hindu Pahari village in north-western Nepal. Many previous studies on South Asian women point out that female family members are subordinate to male ones, and are denied an education because they are regarded as providers of free labor. These studies argue that such households find it difficult to survive. The women are unable to earn money, they are uneducated and therefore fall into extreme poverty. However, this study finds that female-headed Chhetri households in the region are able to at least maintain a subsistence living. This paper shows that the existence of a female workforce, land ownership, and a mutual aid network play important roles in the subsistence of these female-headed Chhetri households. 要旨 本論文は、ネパール北西部に住むチェトリの女性世帯主世帯がいかに生計を立てているのかを 明らかにすることを目的とする。先行研究では、南アジアにおいて女性が家父長制の中で従属的 な地位にあり、土地が相続されず教育も十分に受けられないため経済的自立が難しく、夫(父親)
This article examines the notion of "ideal households" by comparing different households in north... more This article examines the notion of "ideal households" by comparing different households in northwestern Nepal. Such households reflect changing social position as a result of foreign aid and education. Previously in northwestern Nepal, caste was used for classification but now it is based on development and education. New categories are emerging, which include "educated person," "illiterate person," "hard work" (physical labor), and "easy work" (desk work). Households where men (mainly fathers) are of high caste, very educated, and engage in "easy work" (desk work) are idealized. There are many households which do not follow the norm because they have young, highly educated, high-caste men pursuing "hard work" (physical labor) due to their inability to obtain high-paying jobs. They may desire "easy work" (office work), but they have no connections to powerful men. These cases are few in number. Such men either continue with their studies according to their families' wishes or quit the idea of "easy work" (office work) and get a job that does not require education or connections. There are still other types of households that are far from the ideal where illiterate dalit (untouchable) men engage in "hard work" (physical labor). They are skilled and work hard. They are earnest about their children's education. Currently, there is no dalit salaried employee in the village, but it is possible that in future educated dalit children secure "easy work" (office work). In the village, many people imagine that life is rich and easy in foreign countries. Villagers often say that "There has been much development in foreign countries and in Nepalese cities-not in northwestern Nepal or Nepalese villages in general." There are differences between foreign countries and Nepalese villages. Villagers share a compass that points to "much developed," "little
This paper examines the strategies and subsistence activities of female-headed Chhetri households... more This paper examines the strategies and subsistence activities of female-headed Chhetri households in a Hindu Pahari village in north-western Nepal. Many previous studies on South Asian women point out that female family members are subordinate to male ones, and are denied an education because they are regarded as providers of free labor. These studies argue that such households find it difficult to survive. The women are unable to earn money, they are uneducated and therefore fall into extreme poverty. However, this study finds that female-headed Chhetri households in the region are able to at least maintain a subsistence living. This paper shows that the existence of a female workforce, land ownership, and a mutual aid network play important roles in the subsistence of these female-headed Chhetri households. 要旨 本論文は、ネパール北西部に住むチェトリの女性世帯主世帯がいかに生計を立てているのかを 明らかにすることを目的とする。先行研究では、南アジアにおいて女性が家父長制の中で従属的 な地位にあり、土地が相続されず教育も十分に受けられないため経済的自立が難しく、夫(父親)
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