role of women in contemporary india

The social structure of India has customarily been defined by the caste system (Lewis 2003, 1). It has kept a sense of order and peace among the people. There are several basic features of the caste system in India. One feature involves the fact that a caste is indigenous. Another feature relates to restrictions on commensality between members of different castes. There is also a hierarchical grading of castes. Yet another feature involves the various kinds of contacts members of different castes can have with each other, especially with respect to food, sex, and worship. For example, a member of a high caste is liable to be polluted by either direct or indirect contact with a member of a low caste. Furthermore, castes are commonly associated with a traditional occupation. In addition, a man’s status is determined by the circumstances of his birth. Finally, the system as a whole is always centered around the prestige of the Brahmans, the apex of the class system in India (L...