Gender Biases in Modern Ayurvedic Practice
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Mentor Information
Dr. Holly Donahue Singh
Description
In this project, we examine the presence of gender discrimination and sexism within Ayurvedic medicine in India. This project explores Ayurvedic perspectives in which gender-based biases shape how men and women are not only viewed, but treated medically and socially. This project also delves into the influence of Western ideals in combination with Indian society’s gender-based biases on Ayurvedic commercialization. We analyze multiple sources, both academic papers and news articles, to understand the scope of this issue. Research reveals that women are viewed as tools for reproduction, rather than individuals, along with masculinity’s center around power in Ayurvedic texts, providing a distinct difference in approaches of Ayurvedic treatment for male versus female patients. We find that the overall practice of Ayurveda has evolved to accommodate modern systems of medicine along with Western ideals that make it more readily accessible and profitable to foreign markets. In combination with absorbing Western perspectives, the pharmaceutical commercialization of Ayurveda also reiterates Western beauty standards and patriarchal values through the emphasis on beauty for women and power for men. Understanding gender biases within Ayurveda is crucial to not only provide honest treatment that addresses the appropriate ailment of the patient and to reshape the way in which society views an individual’s purpose.
Gender Biases in Modern Ayurvedic Practice
In this project, we examine the presence of gender discrimination and sexism within Ayurvedic medicine in India. This project explores Ayurvedic perspectives in which gender-based biases shape how men and women are not only viewed, but treated medically and socially. This project also delves into the influence of Western ideals in combination with Indian society’s gender-based biases on Ayurvedic commercialization. We analyze multiple sources, both academic papers and news articles, to understand the scope of this issue. Research reveals that women are viewed as tools for reproduction, rather than individuals, along with masculinity’s center around power in Ayurvedic texts, providing a distinct difference in approaches of Ayurvedic treatment for male versus female patients. We find that the overall practice of Ayurveda has evolved to accommodate modern systems of medicine along with Western ideals that make it more readily accessible and profitable to foreign markets. In combination with absorbing Western perspectives, the pharmaceutical commercialization of Ayurveda also reiterates Western beauty standards and patriarchal values through the emphasis on beauty for women and power for men. Understanding gender biases within Ayurveda is crucial to not only provide honest treatment that addresses the appropriate ailment of the patient and to reshape the way in which society views an individual’s purpose.
