New Books in Sociology
Swethaa S. Ballakrishnen, "Accidental Feminism: Gender Parity and Selective Mobility Among India’s Professional Elite" (Princeton UP, 2021)
Jan 3, 2025
Swethaa Ballakrishnen, an Assistant Professor of Law and a sociolegal scholar at UC Irvine, delves into the intriguing phenomenon of gender parity among India's elite professional circles. She discusses how the elite legal firms, despite being male-dominated, offer a surprising representation of women. Ballakrishnen explores the unexpected mechanisms behind this 'accidental feminism'—from gendered socialization to family support—contrasting it with women's struggles in consulting. Her insights challenge traditional narratives about progress and highlight the complexities of achieving real equality.
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Quick takeaways
- The concept of 'Accidental Feminism' illustrates how structural factors rather than explicit feminist agendas enable women's success in elite law firms.
- Swetha Balakrishnan's research highlights the critical role of family and social networks in empowering women's professional advancement in law.
Deep dives
Professor Swetha Balakrishnan's Academic Journey
Professor Swetha Balakrishnan discusses her diverse academic background, which includes an undergraduate degree from NALSAR in India, followed by an LLM from Harvard and a PhD from Stanford. Her journey reflects a shift from law practice to academia, driven by a desire to engage with sociolegal scholarship. At Stanford, she honed her methodological skills and gained insights that significantly influenced her research interests, particularly in law, globalization, and gender from a feminist perspective. Her academic path showcases the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and varied educational experiences in shaping a scholar's research agenda.
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