Analysis Of Rural Widows’ Self Perception And Attitudes With Special Reference To West Bengal

Abstract

Widowhood is a period of crisis in woman’s life; it often changes the identity of a woman. She is confronted with a number of emotional and cultural changes which include changes in social & economic status and the nature and extent of her social interaction. These changes affect her mental and social set up. Adjustment to changed circumstances involves a compromise. This is meant to discover the subjective experiences of the widows. It includes some of the subjective dimensions of self-perceptions and attitudes towards widowhood and social environment in which they are placed.  The self-perceptions of the widows are assessed through their responses to statements pertaining to their status, role in the family & neighborhood, their feelings of satisfaction, contentment or anxiety about their future. In this article, analysis of rural widow’s self-perception and attitudes with special reference to West Bengal has been discussed.