A STUDY ON SOCIAL LIFE OF IRULA WOMEN IN CHENGALPET OF TAMILNADU
This study is concentrated on Irula women population in Chengalpet of Tamil Nadu. The social life of Irula women was studied for the better understanding and to acquire knowledge on Irula tribal community and the social life of women. These Chengalpet Irulas are located in the plain areas near the forestry boundaries. Their social life was mainly concentrated in the present study because their lives are surrounded with non tribal population in the plain areas and also they are the indigenous tribal population of TamilNadu. Their life style, culture, education, economy and social life was included for research purpose in this study. This is a descriptive and comparative component study. The two types of villages were selected, one is developed village and the other one is undeveloped village. These villages were chosen based on the infrastructural facilities. The developed village was with the basic facilities like water, electricity, transport, roads, schools and hospitals. The undeveloped village was without the water, transport, proper roads, and electricity for all the houses, schools and hospitals. The Irula women population from both the village, particularly the age group between 18 and above was considered as a universe of this study. The stratified random sampling method was adopted to select the samples. The sample size was 100, and there were more than 60 Irula families living in respective villages and the samples were collected randomly 50 from each village. The primary data was collected using different techniques. It had framed totally 50 questions based on the hypothesis and objectives. Most of the questions are focused on social and cultural life of Irula women. The other technique was used by the researcher was case study method which focused on the social life of Irula women. It also enables the researcher to get a better in to a polygamy marriage and other cultural aspects. Interview schedule administrated on Irula women were codified and tabulated. Data processing was carried out with the help of computer. Numerical symbols were assigned to the responses in the interview schedule yielding a total of 40 variables. Computer was also used for statistical analyses of data. In the first instance sorting was done to generate frequency tables for the variables. The report that follows incorporates the data, analysis, the interpretation and the inferences draw there from. The major findings were expressed and determined the social life Irula women. In developed village 28 percent of the respondents were belongs to the age group of 18-28 and in undeveloped village 40 percent of the respondents were belongs to the age group of 18-28.Both in developed and undeveloped village 72 and 52 percent of the respondents were illiterates. Both in developed and undeveloped villages 86 and 82 percent of the respondents were married. Both in developed and undeveloped villages 60 and 68 percent of the respondents were working as coolies. In developed village 37.21 percent of the respondents were earning monthly Rs.2000-3000 and in undeveloped village 47.83 percent of the respondents were earning monthly Rs.1000-2000.Both in developed and in undeveloped villages 74 and 50 percent of the respondents were not getting equal wages in their work sector. The major findings were described under 6 main headings as socio-demographic life, educational background, economic conditions, health and awareness and social life. These findings incorporate the social life Irula women in Chengalpet of TamilNadu.