Here is an insightful sociological study enriched by theoretical explorations, critical enquiry, and, above all, rigorous fieldwork in select rural and tribal areas in Odisha. It reveals that the prevalent culture of school education and family socialisation practices often disempowers and discourages tribal and rural girls from continuing their education and altering their life trajectories. Beneath this dropout phenomenon, or the reproduction of social inequality, as Das's work demonstrates quite convincingly, lies the nuanced interplay of caste, gender, family and education.
Avijit Pathak, Former Professor of Sociology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India.
This book is a timely contribution to the discourse on gender and education, particularly in the context of school education. It offers a deeper understanding of the gendered socialisation process within families, communities, and among teachers, as well as its contribution to disadvantages and disparities. This book will be an essential reading for scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and educators committed to achieving gender equality in education.
Madhumita Bandyopadhyay, Professor & Head, Department of School & Non-Formal Education, National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), India.
