Jakara Sikh Women’s Survey Results

[jakaramovement]

Jakara Sikh Women’s Survey Results

First Quantitative Study Looking at Gender Inequalities amongst Sikh Americans

From February 17th to June 5th, 2006, the Jakara Movement, a California-based Sikh youth organization, conducted an online survey to identify various social problems faced by the Sikh women, living in the United States between the ages of 18-35. Although the results are alarming, they should not be met with skepticism, but rather understood as a challenge to Sikh men and women to make a change and create the society that our Gurus envisioned.

Over five hundred years ago, Guru Nanak proclaimed, “without woman, there is nothing.” However all too often, women are treated as if they are nothing. From female foeticide, to double standards, to abuse within our relationships and homes, the data collected over the course survey confirmed many of our worst fears. Over 285 women completed the survey, with the majority being single (56.5%) and between the ages of 18-23 (51.3%). Those taking the survey tended to come from upper middle-class families (52.9% reported family incomes above $70,000) with parents having professional degrees.

Despite the laments one often hears about Sikh women in the United States, our sisters and daughters are connected to their culture and heritage. Fulfilling Panjabi Sikh cultural responsibilities was a high belief of (80%) of the respondents, as well as getting married (77.5%) to a Sikh man (77.9%) and having a successful career (95.8%). Many women had a high belief as a confident Sikh woman (84.2%) and as independent Sikh woman (77.6%). However, the Sikh women overwhelmingly had a high belief that Panjabi Sikh cultural traditions favor males (69.7%).

Of critical concern are social problems and injustices found within our community. One out of four respondents (25.6%) of respondents affirmed that they had been the victim of sexual abuse. More than half of the Sikh women taking the survey said that they knew someone who had been the victim of sexual abuse (55.4%). Along with sexual abuse that is often perpetrated by male members of the family (often fathers, chachas, thayas, and mamay) is the epidemic problem of domestic abuse (both physical and emotional) have been experienced and seen by 61.4% of respondents, with 78.9% saying that they know someone that has been the victim of such abuse. With such double standards and no community outlets for these injustices, it may be of little wonder that 59.3% of the Sikh women respondents affirmed that they had suffered from bouts of depression.

No doubt there are limitations to this survey, such as the number and integrity of respondents, the lack of questions, and homogeneity of the sample; however, the study can be used to debunk certain misconceptions. The problems of sexual abuse and domestic violence are not ‘pindu’ problems, but are widespread throughout the community regardless of income and education levels. The hope is that this study is not dismissed because of its limitations, but rather seen as a tool for Sikhs to wake up to the epidemic problems taking place in the community. Regardless of the exact figures, the study is suggestive of the scale of the epidemic we are facing as a community. It is of critical importance that dialogues be initiated and solutions be found and implemented in our Gurdwaras and homes.

It is time for the ‘next generation of Sikhs’ to make a change. It is time for the men to heal our women, to be real to our women; it is time for the women to love themselves, to empower themselves just as our Gurus desired. The Jakara Movement will further their efforts with an activist development program (J.Kharkhoos) from September 2nd-3rd in Fremont, CA, a youth program promoting equality with a celebration of Mata Khivi throughout California (Bay Area, Bakersfield, Fresno, Livingston, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Turlock, and Yuba City), and a memorial of Mai Bhago in the spring. For more information visit www.jakara.org or get involved in your local community to address these issues so that our Gurus can be proud of our community for living up to the principles for which they developed, practices, and laid down their lives.

Background of Sikh Women Respondents (N=285):

Single (56.5%)

Between the Ages of 18-23 (51.3%)

Born in the United States (47.3%)

Family Income of $70,000 and Above (52.90%)

Mothers (33.7%) and Fathers (46.7%) have Professional Degrees

Epidemic Problems:

Experienced Sexual Abuse i.e. had to do/or had anything done to you that you did not want done (25.6%)

Have you ever experienced/seen domestic abuse (i.e. physical or emotional)? (61.4%)

Experienced Bouts of Depression (59.3%)

[killah]

Im skeptical of the results and the survey, as it was done online. And as anyone knows people can pretend to be anyone online. This survery has to be taken with a huge pinch of salt, though some important issues have to be addressed these kind of surveys do not add any crediblity to the cause.

I take issue with this line you posted:

". It is time for the men to heal our women, to be real to our women; it is time for the women to love themselves, to empower themselves just as our Gurus desired."

Why is it upon men to heal women? when some women from sikh background dont have any self-respect or respect for traditional cultural/religious values.

What is their to be REAL to our women about?

Yes we as Sikh males love women who respect the faith and do things according to the faith. Similarly why can't majority of these "independant modern" sikh women do the same? They have more freedom and rights than most muslim women yet they abuse these hard fought won for privilages that our Guru's fought for. Why can't they chose a Sikh guy who is turbanned and committed to his religion? Look at any sikh marriage site and majority of those women who profess to be Sikh, drink alchohol, want a non-turbanned guy, have little time for family or religious commitments.

I would say it is time for punjabi women from Sikh background to get real and live according to faith if they want to be taken seriously as real Sikh women.

BTW wasnt you the same person who posted a video ad on youtube showing a girl in mini skirt wanting to go clubs and wear mini skirt and you lot think that should be acceptable for a sikh woman to wear? This so called "jakara movement" has no credibility anymore. I have the original video saved before that clip was edited out in the 2nd edition you posted. I can embress your movement very easily by making a counter video of these so called "modern independant" women and what they get upto in clubs and away from their families gaze.

[Guest HaRdKaUrWaRrIoRz]

these quotes should make all of us think a bit...

"The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it. " ~Roseanne Barr

"I, with a deeper instinct, choose a man who compels my strength, who makes enormous demands on me, who does not doubt my courage or my toughness, who does not believe me naïve or innocent, who has the courage to treat me like a woman." ~Anaïs Nin

"Men are taught to apologize for their weaknesses, women for their strengths. " ~Lois Wyse

"Being a lady is an attitude. " ~Chuck Woolery

[Alias Prince]

the results do seem over the top - but remembering past photos (and videos) of the girls who go to this jakara camp the results do seem to work out right - they are biased .