ANALYSIS OF MUSAHAR CASTE WOMEN WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF CULTURAL STRUCTURALISM

Abstract

The living standards of Indian women depend on their social structure. Indian society is divided on the basis of caste, in which women are also assigned a hierarchical position. The division between upper and lower castes has also influenced the lifestyle of women through cultural structuralism. The lives of Musahar caste women, who are marginalized in society and included in the constitutionally recognized Scheduled Castes, are an example of intense suffering and endless struggles. The root causes of this are economic deprivation, social neglect, and a severe lack of democratic or institutional participation.  Their personal lifestyle also contributes to their tragic existence. This paper compares Musahar caste women with women from other communities, discussing their living conditions, food habits, and the specific challenges they face. Their lives are marked by the pain of displacement in their pursuit of education, health, and livelihood. A ground-level analysis of all these points has been presented in this article.