Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
in 1947 to age 63 for men and 65 for women in 2009. In
fact, many more Indians are living longer and are capa-
ble of having more children.
Delhi. Although women still lag behind men, more
than 80 percent of both genders are able to read and
write. Prior to India' s partition, only 11 percent
were literate. Clearly , this state has made great
strides in educating its population (Figure 8-6).
Why is this state so different?
Kerala' s government spends 40 percent of its
budget to maintain a vast network of schools and
colleges. Education has long been valued in society ,
especially among higher castes. Since most of the
higher castes were traditionally matrilineal, many
women continue to enjoy freedoms unattainable
elsewhere. During the Raj, most of Kerala was ruled
by independent maharajas who promoted educa-
tion in the Malayalam language. Literacy rates were
much higher in Kerala than in states with English-
based schooling. About 20 percent of Kerala' s citi-
zens are Christian. This group attaches more
importance to equal education for both males and
females. Access to education at Christian schools
was an attractive lure for the conversion of low-
caste Hindus. In addition, knowledge of record
keeping was essential to maintain the status of
Kerala' s international traders.
In 1990, Ernakulum (Cochin) became the first
administrative district to be officially declared
fully literate. This was the result of a literacy drive
entailing motivational strategies so appealing that
the project' s founder received commendation from
the United Nations. Other communities followed
suit with the support of various official agencies.
2001 CENSUS SHOCK
The 1991 and 2001 census results, which revealed that
India' s population had increased by 21 percent in a
decade, shocked many into realizing that fertility rates
must be further reduced at all costs and that women
must be empowered to have more control over their
lives. However, women remain last in line for education,
job training, credit, medicine, and even food. Constantly
changing governments cannot provide the stability
needed to sustain long-term empowerment strategies.
Y et experts agree that this is the most effective mode of
reducing population growth rates.
India' s population growth will continue its spectacu-
lar rise, given its current size and youthfulness. Despite
the use of family planning, more than 40 percent live in
areas where crude birth rates (CBRs) are in the mid and
upper 30s. World Bank predictions indicate that even if
India achieves a two-child family by 2015, it will still
have a population of 1.9 billion!
Kerala—a Women's State?
Kerala, in southern India, is a small, not particu-
larly prosperous state. However, it has the highest
literacy rates in India, even higher than those for
Figure 8-6
A middle-class family in Kerala. This family owns
a lumber business. Note the difference in dress
between the more traditional parents and the
more modern children.
Photograph courtesy of
B. A. Weightman.
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