Citation

Goyal A. Indian J. Gend. Stud. 2007; 14(3): 409-437.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/097152150701400303

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Amartya Sen's capability approach is very useful to analyse how choices affect the potential of women, once the position that women lack self-awareness when they make their choices is dropped. Women's agency is underestimated. Women's 'otherregarding choices' are not irrational because altruism has not only intrinsic, but also instrumental value as a source of social capital; it may even increase some types of freedom. The mask of conformity women wear in preferring less to more can be misinterpreted as a lack of awareness. The rapidity with which even poor women make use of opportunities that suit their other-regarding choices and the special modes of functioning they have developed as a result prove that the mask of women's conformity is a shallow one.