Reproducing Elite Lives

Women in Aggarwal Family Businesses

Bibliographic Data

ID2634815
AuthorsUjithra Ponniah (Jawaharlal Nehru University, corresponding author)
Year2017
Volume15
Issue15
Publication date2017-01-16
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSouth Asia Multidisciplinary Academic Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1960-6060 • E-ISSN: 1960-6060
PublisherOpenEdition (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.4000/samaj.4280
OpenAlexW2612501591
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited31

This article explores the social reproductive roles performed by elite “upper”-caste Aggarwal women in family businesses in Delhi. With the substantialization of caste, there is an increase in heterogeneities within caste groups. By focussing on women’s associational and familial roles in a South Delhi neighborhood three strategies of reproduction are discussed: first, forging inter-strata fictive kinship ties for caste cohesion through women’s “social work”; second, forging intra-strata fictive kinship ties for business opportunities through sustained interactions; and third, steering the individuating aspirations of children around marital choices for the unity of the joint family and business. These strategies of elite reproduction highlight the secularizing pulls on gender and caste in urban contexts, despite the dependence of family businesses on caste and family ties. Furthermore, by focusing on women in family businesses, this article shows that while they are not passive victims of caste patriarchy neither are they invisible in the male-centric family businesses

Business · Elite · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Family Business Performance and Succession · Gender Studies · Indian Economic and Social Development · Law · Migration, Ethnicity, and Economy

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access