Beyond the Marriage Script: Rethinking Singlehood in India скачать в хорошем качестве

Beyond the Marriage Script: Rethinking Singlehood in India

Why is being single in India treated like a problem waiting to be fixed? Why does a personal choice feel like a social rebellion? In this episode, we dive deep into the politics, pressures, and possibilities of singlehood in India — a topic often dismissed, joked about, or misunderstood. From family expectations and caste norms to gender roles and the myth of “happily ever after,” we unpack why choosing to remain unmarried in India is far more than a lifestyle decision. For many, it is an act of autonomy — sometimes even a radical one. We explore: Why marriage in India is tied to family honor, control & social continuity How single women face stigma, scrutiny, and exclusion Why bachelorhood is treated differently for men The rise of urban singlehood & what the data tells us How queer people navigate singlehood in a heteronormative society Housing discrimination, workplace bias & structural barriers The emergence of new cultural narratives — from Queen to Piku How singlehood challenges patriarchal, caste-based expectations Why choosing yourself is sometimes the most political act of all This episode is not just about being unmarried — it’s about autonomy, dignity, and the freedom to write your own story. It’s about understanding that singlehood is not a waiting room, not a failure, not an absence — but a complete and valid way of living. If you’ve ever felt pressured, questioned, judged, or misunderstood for being single, this conversation is for you. If you’re married but curious about the changing dynamics of Indian society, this episode will open up new perspectives. And if you’re figuring out your path — this might just help you breathe easier. Because belonging to yourself is not selfish. It’s power. References Gandhi, N., & Shah, N. (1992). The issues at stake: Theory and practice in the contemporary women’s movement in India. New Delhi: Kali for Women. Uberoi, P. (2006). Freedom and destiny: Gender, family, and popular culture in India. Oxford University Press. Gopinath, G. (2005). Impossible desires: Queer diasporas and South Asian public cultures. Durham: Duke University Press. Donner, H. (2008). Domestic goddesses: Maternity, globalization and middle-class identity in contemporary India. Ashgate. Bhandare, N. (2018, June, 23). As Indian women leave jobs, single women keep working — here’s why. IndiaSpend. https://www.indiaspend.com/as-indian-... Centre for Law & Policy Research. (2025). How single women are made invisible. CLPR. https://clpr.org.in/publications/how-... Ekal Nari Shakti Sansthan. (2016). Single women in India: Comparing 2001 and 2011 census data. https://ekalnari.org/census_report.php Gupta, K., Singh, A., & Choudhary, T. (2025). Singlehood in Indian context: A mixed-method investigation of experiences, motivations, and wellbeing. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 42(3), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407525137... Herzindagi. (2025, March 24). No husband, no problem: How India’s single women are thriving. Herzindagi. IndiaSpend. (2015, November 14). 71 million single women, 39% rise over a decade. IndiaSpend. https://www.indiaspend.com/71-million... The Swaddle. (2019, June 12). How India’s system keeps single women dependent on others. The Swaddle. https://www.theswaddle.com/how-the-in... The Times of India. (2015, November 22). All the single ladies: 73 million & growing. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/h...