This study was undertaken to investigate the negotiation of everyday sexism encountered by college going young adult women in India in an urban context. An open-ended daily diary form was constructed, and 185 such forms were filled by 58 women enrolled in various colleges of a central university located in Delhi, India. These were analysed by content analysis with the help of NVivo software with a focus on target and type of sexism reported as well as response to sexist incident faced. The findings of this study reveal that participants chose inaction (53%) more than confronting sexism (47%), and reasons were identified for both confronting and not confronting sexism. Of those who did engage in confronting sexism, most chose collective confrontation i.e. confronting prejudice on behalf of one’s group. Confronting sexism appeared to be more difficult in the family context than with strangers, while there were no confrontations by bystanders, or men allies.
Keywords
daily diary, prejudice, everyday sexism, sexism in India, confronting prejudice
Author Bio(s)
Sudha Shashwati is an Assistant Professor at the Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences (JIBS), O.P. Jindal Global University. Additionally, she is a trauma informed, queer affirmative psychotherapist in private practice and conducts behavioral trainings for groups and organizations. She is trained in clinical psychology from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai and has a doctorate in Psychology from University of Delhi. Her doctoral research on masculinities and femininities in India gave rise to the current paper. Correspondence regarding this paper can be sent to her at sudha.shashwati@gmail.com.
Parul Gupta completed her undergraduate studies in Psychology from Jesus and Mary College at the University of Delhi. She went on to pursue her Post Graduate studies and earned an M.B.A. from Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM A). She currently works as a management consultant in Delhi, India where she brings her passion for social impact, her knowledge of psychology, and her business acumen to bear, striving always to make a difference in the world around her in all her endeavors. Please direct correspondence to parul.gupta75340@gmail.com.
Preeti Kapur is a retired Associate Professor from Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India. She has special interests in social psychology, cultural psychology, gender studies, religious studies, and community outreach programs. Her post-retirement work with NGOs is in the areas of sexual health and hygiene, mental health awareness, safety and online protection for youth. Please direct correspondence to preeti.kapur@gmail.com.
Shashwati, S.,
Gupta, P.,
&
Kapur, P.
(2023).
Exploring the Dynamics of Negotiating Everyday Sexism in India: A Daily Diary Study.
The Qualitative Report,
28(4), 1166-1192.
https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2023.5436
