Changing Status of Women in Bhalavalikar Gauda Saraswath Brahmin Community: A Sociological Study in Dakshina Kannada District

Change is a universal in nature. In a changing situation, women in the Bhalavalikar Gauda Saraswath Brahmin community are no longer confined to traditional beliefs, but try to maintain a balance between tradition and modernity. Traditionally, women's contribution to the society was limited and controlled by men. However, in the modern society status of women has changed tremendously and is making its greatest impact in the community. The objective of the present study is to highlight the changing status of women in the present society. The present paper examines the changing status of women with respect to four major societal institutions, namely; family, marriage, economy, education, and the political institution. It is based on field survey carried out in four Taluks of Dakshina Kannada district, where the Bhalavalikars are more in number. The study is both qualitative as well as quantitative in nature. By adopting simple random sampling method, 200 respondents were selected for the present study.