socio-economic profile of rubber tappers in the small holding sector

some amount out of their income. Now she can be a subscriber of a local chitty of
Rs.15000/-.
It is believed that participation of women in paid employment results in individual
independence and active participation in family decision making. The study shows that
the level of improvement among women tappers in this respect is not appreciable. Even in
cases where the main contributor to the family income is a woman, husband and other
male members of the family dominate in the decision making in household affairs. They
do not keep money obtained by themselves under their own custody. Male members
determine the way in which the family income is spent. The women tappers say that their
opinion is also considered in this respect.
The disturbing reality found in the study is that women tappers are poverty-
stricken members of the backward classes who are unable to find other suitable
alternative occupations for livelihood. The social customs, traditions and low ‘status’
given to tapping job have adversely affected the participation of women in the field. The
inconveniences of housewives to start tapping early in the morning aggravate the
problem. The health condition of women tappers is very poor because they have to
undertake the household works and tapping which is heavy and hard; and they do not get
enough time for taking rest.
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