ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the differences with specific reference to Asian women from the Indian and African subcontinent, by tracing the values inherent in their ethnic culture towards marriage, the position of women, relationships with men, divorce, separation and widowhood. Classical Hindu laws have mainly focused on the dominant role of women as wives, with role models for mothers, daughters and sisters being less dominant. Within a male dominated Islamic ideology, several sets of beliefs relating to the nature of woman establish her status in Muslim tradition and contribute towards determining her role in society. Sikhism, a relatively young religion, was born out of Hinduism as a radical breakaway movement. Although they may be theoretically different, in practice there are many similarities between Hindu, Muslim and Sikh cultures. The chapter concludes by drawing together the similarities between the three cultures and shows how these male dominated views on women may have important implications.
