I feel that it was very weird that they were so open about being sex workers and that they were fine with they way the lived. Their way of life is way different than here in America. I also thought it was strange how one of the prostitutes made a career out of it and built a house to show her success to be a role model. In America they would be looked down upon. Mike246
I think it is very strange too that India is so open to prostitution. Prostitution in India is encouraged, while in America prostitution is seen as evil. I was shocked to find out that prostitutes in India are seen as royalty. Even though, I do not agree with the India's way of life, I not gonna look down on it because it is the way things are done in India.
I also feel it was strange they lived that way but they made it into a form a religion so it was not looked down upon like it would be if not a religion. The prostitute with the nice home at least gave those forced into that way of life some hope of a positive future but may mislead others. nick246
I don't know if we should be so quick to judge. Remember their Norm is going to be a lot different then our Norm. Kevin246~ I think what you said was spot on. We can't look down on them. I am sure we do things that they don't agree with but that is what makes our countries unique. CooCoo246
The bases on which these older women were brought up was that this was a calling of the gods, that they were reviered for this lifestyle. If I was raised in a society that not only encouraged but dedated me to a god for the purpose of a sex worker, I wouldnt understand it was "wrong" in any way so I cant say I wouldnt use that money to create a "shrine" to my accomplishments. Very glad I did not grow up in India, however, we have to realize these women were taugh this as a positive thing for so long,only to now get looked down upon for their lifestyles and its a lifesyle their parents are pushing them into!! mfroggyus246
I agree that in the beginning that lifestyle was held as a noble position of dedicating their life to the gods and entertaining priest and wealthy land owners. The tradition has change into something very different. It is strictly prostitution now. Even though it is not morally wrong the them the government must know that it is wrong because they outlawed prostitution. -Tyler246
It is not a choice for most of them. They have to give up of their education to support their family members. The video show a girl that said " I was 12 years when I became Devadasi." The come from small villages where they have to bag for food to survive and their parents make them go into prostitution. Doglover 246
I cant imagine how I could possibly choose my own daughter to become a Devadasi. There is no way that is safe it a matter of months past her 10th birthday she could contract HIV or AIDs. The tradition isn't even looked at the way it used to. The religious aspect is gone it is basically prostitution now. I understand some girls have no choice and may avoid disease but i"m sure that is a slim chance. WISC_Hudler246
I was very surprised to find out that prostitution is accepted in India. People in India see prostitution as a way of life and as a business. I was shocked to find out that India sees prostitutes as royalty. It goes to show you that India's way of life is a lot different from our way of life in America. In India prostitution is the norm, in America it is not.
Life in India is far different then that of the life a someone living in the United States is for sure. If we were to make it into a for a religion in our country it may not even be excepted for that each nation has different laws. Although we are similar in may ways as people our society influences us very differently. Nick246
Life in India is far different then that of the life a someone living in the United States is for sure. If we were to make it into a for a religion in our country it may not even be excepted for that each nation has different laws. Although we are similar in may ways as people our society influences us very differently. Nick246
I was also very shocked when watching this video and learning something i never thought would exist their in India. I guess we can't be so quick to judge because I am sure that what we consider to be "Our Norm" in the US, is a lot different then their norm in India. CooCoo246
I dont agree when you say that India prostitution is the norm. It might be ok for the devadasi to think that what they are doing is normal, but the truth is, when they walk in public people dont want them to get into their houses, they can not touch other people, so I cant agree to say that is normal for their culture. Some villages children are pretty much raped just to feed their family and most young women are dying of Aids. India is very different than America. It is not the " norm," it is their way to survive. Doglover246
In America prostitution isn't the norm, correct. However, prostitution still goes on, because people need to do whatever they can in today's society to survive. From the previous article on homelessness, people choose not to be homeless so they will have to resort to prostitution to make money and not be homeless. It is illegal to do it in here, so it smoking marijuana, but people still do it. starburst246
Everyone has a different way of living given how things work out for them in there individual lives. They say they don't have radios often therefore many probably don't know how the majority of the lives of those individuals turn out and if they were educated on it they may make different choices. You must look at the good in life and try to make your life the best you can understanding you have influence over your life but only to an extent so don't stress if its not the way you wanted it to be and love life. They love life enough they live hard lives trying to have kids to give them "good" lives. Nick246
I do not think we should ever judge other countries way of life because it is different from ours. India embraces prostitution and we should respect that as Americans. Just because we do not embrace prostitution and find it as evil does not mean other countries feel the same way. Every country is different than us. Kevin246
I'm very taken back by this video. I would have never thought a country that is so religious would allow this kind of business. Some of those girls were so young starting out. I could not imagine "forcing" my daughter at the age 10 to go prostitute herself. But what the Norm here in America is,is much different than the Norm there in India. I can't imagine being a woman and looking up to another woman who is a prostitute. The men are in charge in those countries but yet the woman are making the money to support their family. What is wrong with this? Is this what we can consider Deviance? CooCoo246
It doesnt seem the women are looked up to anymore, but I agree, the whole practice to begin with is appauling. The idea that this was instituted as a prefered title at one point in their society makes it that much harder to digest. These women at one point were tauht to think this was an honor and now they are condemmed for same thing they were honored for years back. Very sad. mfroggyus246
I do not think that this would be considered deviance in India because it is a social norm for the lowest cast system. I am really torn on this subject because we all know that prostitution is wrong and even in India it is Illegal but prostitution has been going on for so long over there who is to way we are right? -Tyler246
I agree with you, however, if you were to be born in India you would know that that is all they know. They don't have the technology or education to do something else in most cases. The children have to start out at a young age to help their parents support their families. Their families are not just 2 to 3 people either, they have many brothers and sisters. The prostitution is one way of staying home while workings and caring for their children starburst246
You can’t help but feel sorry for the young girls in this video. Even the girls that view it as acceptable and something they must do. They feel honored to be doing something like this because they don’t know any better. If they had grew up in a different country, like America, their views may change as well. Bullml13-246
This reminded me of talking to the "dancers" in Korea when I went there for the service. I didnt understand why these young girls from other countries were dancing in local bars and it was a similar story, except they parents didnt dedicate them to any god, they just got to a certain age didnt get married off and were sent to korea to be sex slaves. It is a sad world when women arent given the right to choose what they want to do with their life. This may just be american in me talking but, I find it appauling people would even entertain the thought of pushing their "babies" off on pimps, cause truthfully even at 12, those girls are still babies. I know it is their culture but if even the churches and country outlawed the practice, they obviously didnt think it was such a great idea. mfroggyus246
I think that it is disturbing that the higher class people in India are taking advantage of the lowest class and using the gods to justify Prostitution. In the video the lowest class families had to make a hard choice of selling their own daughters virginity to put food on the table. Even when it was their own choice to become a sex worker it was because the cast system would not let them become something else, if they did not get married. At the end of the video it really showed how the system of becoming a sex workers was illegal. I think the government was right for outlawing prostitution but the cast system is limiting the options the lower class has for income. I think that the religious aspect of the sex workers is just a way to justify selling their bodies. -Tyler246
I agree! At times while watching the video it felt as if they were defending themselves more than they needed to be. Like they were trying to justify that selling one’s virginity at 13 or even younger was ok, because that’s what the God’s want. Towards the end of the video though I appreciated how they showed the truth. And that the lower class families have it worse off. Bullml13-246
It is sad to know that for some culture it is acceptable to sell their bodies for religion, and it goes on from generation to generation. Some women were proud of showing what they have bought with the money from prostitution, but that is not the reality for most women that become "devadasi." They have to help their whole family. I can not really say that prostitution is acceptable for their culture, what I can say is that for them (devadasi) religion is an excuse to say that what they do is ok so they dont feel bad about it. The video shows them going to a store to buy clothes, and the worker at the store treated them as garbage. To me that shows a conflict of of values and belief. Doglover246
It was weird how they just show off what they have bought using the money they got from being a prostitute. For some women they have no shame in what they do and how they earn income for themselves. That would be embarrassing going out in public and having others notice you as a devadasi and being looked down on, but I mean its kind of expected for that to happen. kmoney246
It's pretty sad that this way of life is the only way these young women grow up knowing about. It makes me sick to my stomach because I wish they knew that there are bigger and better things than Devadasi. josko246
The Devadasi named Pandu, I don't know if that's spelled correctly or not, seemed like the only one who actually wanted his family/daughter to be educated and to not be a Devadasi. It's almost as if he is doing it, not only because he loves his god, but because he wants to be able to put his family through an educational system so they have a better life. blub246
I found it overwhelming that in other third world countries that people sell their bodies for sex. Their country isn't built similar to the united states they don't have the technology that we do to have many jobs. I want to assume that this was the work for the women long before the technology era, but was it ever talked about? I am sure this wouldn't bizarre for people whose background is from these types of cultures or subcultures. The women who have families have to take care of their children, clean their small housing area, and work by selling their bodies. I am sure the children who are born into this are used to it and don't think of what could be for them. I don't think they should allow children to undergo that type of work, but who I am to say that because it is their culture. Soemtimes a person has to do what they have to do in order to survive. starburst246
This video was very interesting to me. It’s surprising how one side of India views it as acceptable, and how they honor their God by giving these girls who are barely out of puberty to work in a very adult industry. Others view it as disgusting and dirty and even some have died from the diseases they contracted. It seemed to me that in the life of the Devadasi’s you were either very lucky to work on the good side of town, or very unlucky to have the bad side of town. What struck me as devastating was when the grandmother came on talking about how her daughter had died of HIV and she was now forced to raise her grandchildren. But how as she to raise her grandchildren if she must working selling sex herself? A very eye opening experience. Bullml13-246
It was upsetting to see how others viewed and treated the Devadasi women because of the choices they or their families made for them. I cannot imagine how difficult it would be, being shunned by part of society because of a decision that their family made for them. This video defiantly makes you appreciate the opportunities we have been given.
It was very upsetting to watch, and to hear about the grandmother. It's crazy how different that culture is compared to the US. What interested me the most was that it was their religion! Never have I heard of a religion/goddess that is based on selling your body. I could not fathom the idea of it in the name of God, depending on which god you worship. Very interesting. blub246
WOW! This video was very disturbing to me. I know the God that I know would never want me to honor him by becoming a prostitute. Unfortunately, these people do not know better for this is what they were brought up in and now are doing the same thing. It also upsets me that the parents of these poor girls are basically being auctioned off. And the whole thing about being on the good side of town to be a Devadasi is a privilege, and the other side is considered a disgrace...well they both are to me.
I wonder if the people in India especially the Devadasi's were able to experience other factors in the world, if they would still be willing to do this kind of work. Sadly though what they practice for religion or whomever they worship people cannot judge them for that. Everyone has their own decisions that they make, or that their parents make and has to follow them. Hopefully though this whole tradition of the Devadasi will just go away, because prostitution of any sort is just not right in my eyes. Red246
Clearly gender inequality and poverty has a great deal to do with why the Devadasi still exist even after the practice being outlawed. I do not have a daughter but it is still hard for me to imagine viewing my daughter as a liability to my family or dedicating her to Yellamma to become a sex slave at 10 to 13 years old so that she could provide our family with enough money to eat. Equally difficult imagining that being a young girl in that type of situation that becoming a sex slave was the best or only way of survival. Great example of how vastly different societies can be and what the people will do to survive.
It would be super hard to have a daughter while living in India and having her become a sex slave at such a young age. I don't know how mothers could put their child through such a thing and seeing it as an ok thing to do. Its sad that its kind of forced upon them by their families. kmoney246
Its sad to watch this video and seeing these women selling themselves for money as income for their family. That would be hard to have a family that believes in Devadasi and has no say in if they want to do it or not. For them its normal and they don't see it as a big deal, but I can't imagine having a daughter and having her go through that starting at a young age. The last family they showed was also sad seeing how Devadasi changed their lives and having their daughter die from HIV from being a prostitute. It would be extremely hard to live in India as a girl and having a religion where prostitution is ok. kmoney246
I believe prostitution is not ok wherever you go, but in some countries like in India it is. I respect that prostitution is ok in India even though I do not like it. India's way of life is much different than our way of life. Kevin246
Prostitution, honestly, is whatever. It's going to happen whether anyone wants it to or not. Watching the part of the video with the family with the daughter who passed was just very sad, and it just made me that much more thankful that I live in America, and that my children as well will grow up here. josko246
I agree that prostitution will probably always be around. Its just so much more gross when it is happening to young girls whose destiny is being chosen by their parents. I know the "American way" is not right for every society, but it would be better if the girls could atleast have the final say. YellowSubmarine246
Like Kevin said I believe prostitution is not ok wherever you go. No matter where you go there is always someone that will disagree with you. We can look right here in America and see prostitution happening, and I don’t believe people should have to live that way here. Life is what they make it though. I’m just glad I don’t have to live that way. Kristen 246
I feel that the religion is no longer what it used to be and is simply a cover for being exactly what is going on within the "religion"; sex trafficking. Its painful to watch and hear testimonies on it, when we live in America and have every given chance to excel and succeed, while they are denied that right from a very early age, given the circumstances of the family. alterend246
This video was very sad to watch. I could never imagine living in India and actually witnessing that. I would never think a father could exploit their daughter like that for money. I would never do that to my own daughter; her body is her temple and she can choose what she wants to do with it. Having no say in whether you're being sold for sex is just very wrong and very disturbing. Devadasi seems like a very dictatorial religion to practice. However, religion is religion. Families in India seem to be okay with their lives this way. josko246
People from all over the world practice different standards, and have a different way of life. If I had a daughter I would never let her do anything like this at all. People do what they have to do to make a living, and just to get by another day. Though what was going on in the video I completely disagree with, that is their choice on how to live their lives. Red246
This video was quite interesting to watch. It is very crazy how open some people are to the idea of prostitution in the name of God. This is the first time I have seen, or heard anything like it. Personally, I would never do that to my own children no matter how poor, but to most of them it is the lifestyle they were raised in. Some of them had no other upbringing, but seeing how they view the sex working as part of their religion, then we have no right to judge. I found that the sex working Pandu, sorry if misspelled was the one that surprised me the most, and wanted his daughter to have a different life, unlike some of them. blub246
I didn’t feel that all of them saw it as part of their religion. The 14 year old girl who was spotted working in a field, picked up by a scout, and then promised by her parents into the Davadassi sex working industry did not make that choice based on religion.YellowSubmarine246
What I got from this video was that the girl and their families do not necessarily want this for their daughters, but they do not really have a choice. Because of them being women, who are not of equality to men in India and poor, they don't have the resources to do better for children. If the girl's mother or family was in the business, so to say, this left very little choice for them. They could work as street cleaners or field workers but still risked being forced in prostitution. It is sad to say that not everyone has the freedom that we have living in the United States. GMD246
I thought this was a very sad video. Even though some of the women shown were okay with being sex workers and claimed they chose the life on their own, they were mainly the brothel owners and were probably making more money than some of the other girls. I understand it is a way of life for lower classes of people in India, but it is still very shocking and sad that parents will promise their prepubescent daughters to brothel owners in exchange for money. I agree with the host in that all of the cultural and religious ties to this ceremony are gone and all that is left is a sex trade for young girls. It is not fair that they do not have a choice. I was surprised by the fact that some of them were practicing safe sex and that there were transvestite sex workers as well. YellowSubmarine246
I think if parents had a better option for their children they would do what it took to get them that. But there really isn't a better option for them. Especially if parents need the income they don't have the time to wait for the girls to go to school and get an education. Therefore this is their only choice. Kristen 246
Finding out how the people in India live was a shock but to a certain extent. Throughout human history women have been there to please mans every need and to bring children. Women have also been proud to have this control over the male mind. Is it wrong the way they live? Yes but to me because its socially different than what I'm accustomed to. But for them and their culture it is the way of life. And cultures are what make people and their community who they are. But prostitution will always be around because they're will always be sad pathetic men who will spend their money on it. Falcons246
I do not think women have control over men with sex. Most societies and even the bible tells women they are to serve man. With a society and cultural country like India where technology is limited to the very rich, these women are being raised like their mothers and their mothers before them. Prostitution was created for the royals. This was not some sort of a ploy to take over or control men. I think if that was the case, women would be more equal to men in India. GMD246
I don't think that prostitution is "man's fault" that was never the goal. As for what GMD246 said, I mostly agree with you. But, what I don't agree with is the part about technology. As much as we say technology plays a part in this, if we compare this to America, we can (and will) see that even the most technologically advanced cities have prostitution. BodyCall246
I have a friend who is from India, and would tell me about the extreme poverty that is over there. Watching this documentary about how women would sell themselves for money is a very plausible situation, especially given the living standards. What is the scariest thought about the whole ordeal is the spread of HIV, because not every person on the street is willing to go to a clinic and spend the extra money on getting tested. The whole becoming a Devadasi, and giving yourself to the Devadasi god seems to just be used as a scape-goat instead of just out right saying that you're a prostitute. Prostitution though is not something that is happening in India, but throughout the world. Red246
Just because you perceive it as a scapegoat doesn't mean they believe it as such. If they truly believe in the Devadasi god, we have no right to criticize them. We have a right to disagree, and I guess this is a good example of that. I do agree when you say that prostitution isn't only happening in India, though. -Moony246
I wasn’t shocked at this video. I have seen other documentaries on sex trafficking. Although it wasn’t new information to me, I’m still disgusted by it. I understand that this is just the way of life for those people and most of them have no other choice but to be stuck living that kind of live to survive. Like one girl said in the video there would be no use for her to get an education because that town would have no value for it. It’s sad to me to see how much hurt can be caused by sex trafficking, from emotional hurt to disease, to even death. I do think it’s wrong how young girls have to support their families rather than the males in the family. It’s to bad people can take and twist religion to such distorted thinking. Unfortunately there is very little to do to change things for the people of India or other people in sex trafficking, especially when most of them don’t want to leave now that they have been pulled into the system. Kristen 246
I agree, it's unfortunate and saddening to know that things like this are a way of life for anyone, let alone for many women in countries like this. It seems unfair that they should be denied their futures so that they can provide for the family at the time, then move on and possibly continue the cycle. The day of equal opportunity in these poorer countries is sadly not close enough. alterend246
I am in culture shock after watching this video. The fact that some women and men are reduced to prostitution to provide for their families is heartbreaking. To be a parent and then have to decide to let yourself and your family starve or to assign your daughter to this lifestyle, probably one she does not wish. These girls are given the ultimate guilt trip, either sleep with men for money or you and your family starve. This did start out as a cultural choice and sex was not initially a part of serving the Goddess of Yellamma, however over time it have lead to forced prostitution. These girls have no choice now, this has become a way to support their families, even if they wanted to get out and leave this choice they are still shun d by the rest of society. GMD246
I agree with you 100%. While watching this video I was sickened by what I saw so my wife decided to be interested in what I was watching, and after that we both had the same look of disgust on our faces. I also agree that at first the prostitution had nothing to do with serving Yellamma and now somehow it is. It makes us sick that they are forced to choose this as a life or have their family suffer. Gross246
As I'm sure everyone feels, prostitution is immoral and wrong. In the case of India, however, it is difficult to outright condone it. On one hand, it helps care for the women's families, gives them a stable outcome and allows them to have a future that they otherwise would not have had given their circumstances. On the other hand, it is a perversion of a former religious following that is still a following today, but much less of what it used to be and its followers are now looked down upon by most for what they do. Prostitution spreads disease and sadness wherever it may go and is merely a quick fix to a large problem. Prostitution is never a good thing, but to those that live in impoverished countries, it is a means of survival, as sad as it is. alterend246
I'm not really sure if you could even call becoming a prostitute, in their situations, as allowing them to have a future. Honestly there would be nothing for them to ever look forward to unless its looking forward to their family surviving. That would more likely be a "future" for them in my eyes. I do love how you wrapped up, because I agree with you about it spreading disease and sadness wherever it goes. That was great! Gross246
I agree with Gross246. Becoming a prostitute wont get you any higher job in life as far as in the real world. Even if they become the most highly looked upon Devadaci girl they will still be looked down upon in their society. I believe that some of the girls who are really young and get sacrificed don't really know anything else besides prostitution so they just make that their living. That becomes their comfort zone.
I really want to question if the whole Yellamma goddess is a real thing, or if it is just a gimmick or a scapegoat to try and justify the idea of prostitution. I feel that they all know it's wrong in some sense but use their praying to Yellemma as a way to make it right. I understand that this may be the only thing that some families have to be able to function and survive, but there is no need to push it on others or brag about it by building a temple. It makes me (and my wife) sick that 10, 11, 12 year old girls are being volun-told to throw their lives away to become prostitutes for life to support their families. Becoming a prostitute this young opens doors for numerous health concerns as the video stated with HIV. It would be devastating not only to India but to the entire world if these viruses and diseases spread to enough people. I understand that their culture is very different from ours, and thats fine, but when theres lives and well-beings at stake, we have to draw the line. Gross246
I agree that it is wrong for these young girls to be selling themselves, yes, but we can not blame the way that there religious custom has changed into this over time. In the beginning of Yellamma's system, prostitution was not the goal. They were dancers for the rich. Now, after outsiders took away there temples and forced them underground they found that prostitution was their only way to go. I guess what I am trying to say that none of these girls chose this for themselves and many of their parents did not know what the "profession" was. BodyCall246
I found this video very appalling. Being of the Hindu religion myself, there are many Gods to be worshipped here and the have chosen Yallamma, but her beliefs are different from the "norm". I don't think that many of these families that dedicate their young daughters are very sure of what this "profession" entails. They seem like they are more interested in the money and the better life they are told it creates for themselves. I feel as though this practice places shame on Hinduism as a whole, even though in the beginning Devadasi meant that you were an exotic dancer for the kings and the Gods. It is very sad that over time this religious practice has lost all of its cultural ties and has become this crazy prostitution ring it is today. I just do not understand how people say that if they were in America things would be different. Every country has these problems, no matter how much we try to deny it. BodyCall246
Its sad to think that the change from "exotic dancer for the gods" to "common sex worker" was more than likely brought about by Christianity and the Crusades. Just because Hindus held different beliefs and had different gods, these poor girls are subjected to the humiliation and degradation of being forced to sell their bodies.
I find it kind of odd that India considers prostitution to be sort of a social norm. It almost seems that prostitution in India is almost encouraged, but overseas we consider prostitution is to be quite the opposite. Kind of irritated that prostitutes are seen as highly regarded as they are, since that cannot be safe for those girls being so young and so open to HIV or aids. I cant say i agree whatsoever with the their way of life, but what can you do that is just their way of life. WISC_Hurdler246
I find it kind of odd that India considers prostitution to be sort of a social norm. It almost seems that prostitution in India is almost encouraged, but overseas we consider prostitution is to be quite the opposite. Kind of irritated that prostitutes are seen as highly regarded as they are, since that cannot be safe for those girls being so young and so open to HIV or aids. I cant say i agree whatsoever with the their way of life, but what can you do that is just their way of life. WISC_Hurdler246
One particular segment in the clip made me think a little deeper into what stresses go into making a personal sacrifice into a decision like this. The one young prostitute had her entire family looking to her to provide food and clothes to sustain life for her and her poor family. It wasn’t a selfish act in anyway, but what it makes me think is; would her family even survive if she didn’t make that sacrifice? Ethos246
Just another example of how the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. It seems like a way for the lower income families to have one less mouth to feed in exchange for the wealthy to make a profit on the unfortunate circumstances of the lower class citizens. The age is the biggest part that makes this seems taboo for our way of life in the U.S. culture. If you see or hear about some twelve year in the news that was sexually abused it makes us sick and we cannot even imagine it where as in India it seems like just another part of life that some people make into a "norm". Ethos246
I agree. The age is the biggest issue to me. The girls don't even have a chance to form their own opinion let alone pick their own partner. And to think of the young girls who go in there and the old men take advantage of them. That's so sad. But it's like they can't do anything about it cause that's their job and their's no one they can run to because they were sacrificed so from my understanding if something like rape was to happen they could think that it was meant to happen. Like it was from the Gods and they were being punished or something.
I agree. In the United States, something like this would be considered child pornography and prostitution, and would be punishable with jail time. But in India, it is a norm. Its sad and sick to think that a young girls first time, is just another "wham, bam, thank you ma'am." I couldn't imagine forcing my daughter to become a Devadasi.
This video was really sad to me, because in their culture they don't get to choose what they want to do with their future if the parents want to sacrifice their daughter to the Devadasi then that child has to go. I feel as if the young ladies were old enough to choose this for a way of living is one thing but if the parents "sacrifice" them it's another. This is also increasing the spread of HIV in their society. Young ladies life are ending because they catch HIV in this line of prostitution. Like the lady said at the end of the video, she lost her daughter to HIV and the train has to stop somewhere. Her, her mom, and daughter all served as a Devadasi girl and it's not worth it anymore. She'd rather beg for food than go back.
I completely agree with you, it's sad that these girls were sold into this way of life to pretty much be the bread winners for their families, the girls are so young and know nothing more than what they are told, it's sad that their lives are chosen for them. -heartsiized246
I think that it is sad that what started as a religious calling, is getting turned into something as lowly as prostitution. If the woman were to choose to be a prostitute, would be one thing, but these girls are being forced into it because their family has no way to support itself.
I find it disturbing that instead of the more prosperous regions helping the poorer regions, they just completely turn their backs on the Devadasi. But honestly, if you think about it, it is pretty similar to the way things are anywhere in the world. Most places, it just doesn't have the religious aspect behind it. People have been selling their bodies for centuries. women and girls did it in Vietnam during the war, the concubines did it, and people are still doing it. All just to survive and feed their families.
To the women and girls who sell their bodies, it is just a way of survival.
I found the way of life for the devadasi girls very sad, although I understand that each culture has it's own way, it almost seemed as if they used the religion as an excuse to make themselves feel better about their situation, afterall most of the girls were sold into this way of life by their parents for money. I couldn't imagine living my life the way the girls do in this video and what was even more sad was the fact that they had pride in what they did because that's all they knew, from the time they were children being a sex worker was the only way of life they knew, it didn't seem to be as much about religion when they talked about it, they used this way of life as survival. -heartsiized246
Everyone's beliefs are different. If what you believe isn't hurting anyone, then carry on. If prostitution is part of their way of life, then it's just their way of life. If it's part of their religion, then it's part of their religion. If people are bashing the Indian religion for prostitution, then it's the same as bashing Christians for disagreeing with gay marriage. We can all have our own opinions, no one needs to demean another person's. -Moony246
I feel that it was very weird that they were so open about being sex workers and that they were fine with they way the lived. Their way of life is way different than here in America. I also thought it was strange how one of the prostitutes made a career out of it and built a house to show her success to be a role model. In America they would be looked down upon.
ReplyDeleteMike246
I think it is very strange too that India is so open to prostitution. Prostitution in India is encouraged, while in America prostitution is seen as evil. I was shocked to find out that prostitutes in India are seen as royalty. Even though, I do not agree with the India's way of life, I not gonna look down on it because it is the way things are done in India.
DeleteKevin246
I also feel it was strange they lived that way but they made it into a form a religion so it was not looked down upon like it would be if not a religion. The prostitute with the nice home at least gave those forced into that way of life some hope of a positive future but may mislead others.
Deletenick246
So - who is right? Or - is this relative?
DeleteI don't know if we should be so quick to judge. Remember their Norm is going to be a lot different then our Norm. Kevin246~ I think what you said was spot on. We can't look down on them. I am sure we do things that they don't agree with but that is what makes our countries unique. CooCoo246
DeleteThe bases on which these older women were brought up was that this was a calling of the gods, that they were reviered for this lifestyle. If I was raised in a society that not only encouraged but dedated me to a god for the purpose of a sex worker, I wouldnt understand it was "wrong" in any way so I cant say I wouldnt use that money to create a "shrine" to my accomplishments. Very glad I did not grow up in India, however, we have to realize these women were taugh this as a positive thing for so long,only to now get looked down upon for their lifestyles and its a lifesyle their parents are pushing them into!! mfroggyus246
DeleteI agree that in the beginning that lifestyle was held as a noble position of dedicating their life to the gods and entertaining priest and wealthy land owners. The tradition has change into something very different. It is strictly prostitution now. Even though it is not morally wrong the them the government must know that it is wrong because they outlawed prostitution. -Tyler246
DeleteIt is not a choice for most of them. They have to give up of their education to support their family members. The video show a girl that said " I was 12 years when I became Devadasi." The come from small villages where they have to bag for food to survive and their parents make them go into prostitution. Doglover 246
DeleteI cant imagine how I could possibly choose my own daughter to become a Devadasi. There is no way that is safe it a matter of months past her 10th birthday she could contract HIV or AIDs. The tradition isn't even looked at the way it used to. The religious aspect is gone it is basically prostitution now. I understand some girls have no choice and may avoid disease but i"m sure that is a slim chance. WISC_Hudler246
DeleteI was very surprised to find out that prostitution is accepted in India. People in India see prostitution as a way of life and as a business. I was shocked to find out that India sees prostitutes as royalty. It goes to show you that India's way of life is a lot different from our way of life in America. In India prostitution is the norm, in America it is not.
ReplyDeleteKevin246
Life in India is far different then that of the life a someone living in the United States is for sure. If we were to make it into a for a religion in our country it may not even be excepted for that each nation has different laws. Although we are similar in may ways as people our society influences us very differently.
DeleteNick246
Life in India is far different then that of the life a someone living in the United States is for sure. If we were to make it into a for a religion in our country it may not even be excepted for that each nation has different laws. Although we are similar in may ways as people our society influences us very differently.
DeleteNick246
I was also very shocked when watching this video and learning something i never thought would exist their in India. I guess we can't be so quick to judge because I am sure that what we consider to be "Our Norm" in the US, is a lot different then their norm in India. CooCoo246
DeleteI dont agree when you say that India prostitution is the norm. It might be ok for the devadasi to think that what they are doing is normal, but the truth is, when they walk in public people dont want them to get into their houses, they can not touch other people, so I cant agree to say that is normal for their culture. Some villages children are pretty much raped just to feed their family and most young women are dying of Aids. India is very different than America. It is not the " norm," it is their way to survive. Doglover246
DeleteIn America prostitution isn't the norm, correct. However, prostitution still goes on, because people need to do whatever they can in today's society to survive. From the previous article on homelessness, people choose not to be homeless so they will have to resort to prostitution to make money and not be homeless. It is illegal to do it in here, so it smoking marijuana, but people still do it. starburst246
DeleteEveryone has a different way of living given how things work out for them in there individual lives. They say they don't have radios often therefore many probably don't know how the majority of the lives of those individuals turn out and if they were educated on it they may make different choices. You must look at the good in life and try to make your life the best you can understanding you have influence over your life but only to an extent so don't stress if its not the way you wanted it to be and love life. They love life enough they live hard lives trying to have kids to give them "good" lives.
ReplyDeleteNick246
I do not think we should ever judge other countries way of life because it is different from ours. India embraces prostitution and we should respect that as Americans. Just because we do not embrace prostitution and find it as evil does not mean other countries feel the same way. Every country is different than us.
DeleteKevin246
I'm very taken back by this video. I would have never thought a country that is so religious would allow this kind of business. Some of those girls were so young starting out. I could not imagine "forcing" my daughter at the age 10 to go prostitute herself. But what the Norm here in America is,is much different than the Norm there in India. I can't imagine being a woman and looking up to another woman who is a prostitute. The men are in charge in those countries but yet the woman are making the money to support their family. What is wrong with this? Is this what we can consider Deviance? CooCoo246
ReplyDeleteIt doesnt seem the women are looked up to anymore, but I agree, the whole practice to begin with is appauling. The idea that this was instituted as a prefered title at one point in their society makes it that much harder to digest. These women at one point were tauht to think this was an honor and now they are condemmed for same thing they were honored for years back. Very sad. mfroggyus246
DeleteI do not think that this would be considered deviance in India because it is a social norm for the lowest cast system. I am really torn on this subject because we all know that prostitution is wrong and even in India it is Illegal but prostitution has been going on for so long over there who is to way we are right? -Tyler246
DeleteI agree with you, however, if you were to be born in India you would know that that is all they know. They don't have the technology or education to do something else in most cases. The children have to start out at a young age to help their parents support their families. Their families are not just 2 to 3 people either, they have many brothers and sisters. The prostitution is one way of staying home while workings and caring for their children starburst246
DeleteYou can’t help but feel sorry for the young girls in this video. Even the girls that view it as acceptable and something they must do. They feel honored to be doing something like this because they don’t know any better. If they had grew up in a different country, like America, their views may change as well. Bullml13-246
DeleteThis reminded me of talking to the "dancers" in Korea when I went there for the service. I didnt understand why these young girls from other countries were dancing in local bars and it was a similar story, except they parents didnt dedicate them to any god, they just got to a certain age didnt get married off and were sent to korea to be sex slaves. It is a sad world when women arent given the right to choose what they want to do with their life. This may just be american in me talking but, I find it appauling people would even entertain the thought of pushing their "babies" off on pimps, cause truthfully even at 12, those girls are still babies. I know it is their culture but if even the churches and country outlawed the practice, they obviously didnt think it was such a great idea. mfroggyus246
ReplyDeleteI think that it is disturbing that the higher class people in India are taking advantage of the lowest class and using the gods to justify Prostitution. In the video the lowest class families had to make a hard choice of selling their own daughters virginity to put food on the table. Even when it was their own choice to become a sex worker it was because the cast system would not let them become something else, if they did not get married. At the end of the video it really showed how the system of becoming a sex workers was illegal. I think the government was right for outlawing prostitution but the cast system is limiting the options the lower class has for income. I think that the religious aspect of the sex workers is just a way to justify selling their bodies. -Tyler246
ReplyDeleteI agree! At times while watching the video it felt as if they were defending themselves more than they needed to be. Like they were trying to justify that selling one’s virginity at 13 or even younger was ok, because that’s what the God’s want. Towards the end of the video though I appreciated how they showed the truth. And that the lower class families have it worse off. Bullml13-246
DeleteIt is sad to know that for some culture it is acceptable to sell their bodies for religion, and it goes on from generation to generation. Some women were proud of showing what they have bought with the money from prostitution, but that is not the reality for most women that become "devadasi." They have to help their whole family. I can not really say that prostitution is acceptable for their culture, what I can say is that for them (devadasi) religion is an excuse to say that what they do is ok so they dont feel bad about it. The video shows them going to a store to buy clothes, and the worker at the store treated them as garbage. To me that shows a conflict of of values and belief. Doglover246
ReplyDeleteIt was weird how they just show off what they have bought using the money they got from being a prostitute. For some women they have no shame in what they do and how they earn income for themselves. That would be embarrassing going out in public and having others notice you as a devadasi and being looked down on, but I mean its kind of expected for that to happen.
Deletekmoney246
It's pretty sad that this way of life is the only way these young women grow up knowing about. It makes me sick to my stomach because I wish they knew that there are bigger and better things than Devadasi.
Deletejosko246
The Devadasi named Pandu, I don't know if that's spelled correctly or not, seemed like the only one who actually wanted his family/daughter to be educated and to not be a Devadasi. It's almost as if he is doing it, not only because he loves his god, but because he wants to be able to put his family through an educational system so they have a better life.
Deleteblub246
I found it overwhelming that in other third world countries that people sell their bodies for sex. Their country isn't built similar to the united states they don't have the technology that we do to have many jobs. I want to assume that this was the work for the women long before the technology era, but was it ever talked about? I am sure this wouldn't bizarre for people whose background is from these types of cultures or subcultures. The women who have families have to take care of their children, clean their small housing area, and work by selling their bodies. I am sure the children who are born into this are used to it and don't think of what could be for them. I don't think they should allow children to undergo that type of work, but who I am to say that because it is their culture. Soemtimes a person has to do what they have to do in order to survive. starburst246
ReplyDeleteThis video was very interesting to me. It’s surprising how one side of India views it as acceptable, and how they honor their God by giving these girls who are barely out of puberty to work in a very adult industry. Others view it as disgusting and dirty and even some have died from the diseases they contracted. It seemed to me that in the life of the Devadasi’s you were either very lucky to work on the good side of town, or very unlucky to have the bad side of town. What struck me as devastating was when the grandmother came on talking about how her daughter had died of HIV and she was now forced to raise her grandchildren. But how as she to raise her grandchildren if she must working selling sex herself? A very eye opening experience. Bullml13-246
ReplyDeleteIt was upsetting to see how others viewed and treated the Devadasi women because of the choices they or their families made for them. I cannot imagine how difficult it would be, being shunned by part of society because of a decision that their family made for them. This video defiantly makes you appreciate the opportunities we have been given.
DeleteGlide246
It was very upsetting to watch, and to hear about the grandmother. It's crazy how different that culture is compared to the US. What interested me the most was that it was their religion! Never have I heard of a religion/goddess that is based on selling your body. I could not fathom the idea of it in the name of God, depending on which god you worship. Very interesting.
Deleteblub246
WOW! This video was very disturbing to me. I know the God that I know would never want me to honor him by becoming a prostitute. Unfortunately, these people do not know better for this is what they were brought up in and now are doing the same thing. It also upsets me that the parents of these poor girls are basically being auctioned off. And the whole thing about being on the good side of town to be a Devadasi is a privilege, and the other side is considered a disgrace...well they both are to me.
ReplyDeleteLabrador246
I wonder if the people in India especially the Devadasi's were able to experience other factors in the world, if they would still be willing to do this kind of work. Sadly though what they practice for religion or whomever they worship people cannot judge them for that. Everyone has their own decisions that they make, or that their parents make and has to follow them. Hopefully though this whole tradition of the Devadasi will just go away, because prostitution of any sort is just not right in my eyes.
DeleteRed246
Clearly gender inequality and poverty has a great deal to do with why the Devadasi still exist even after the practice being outlawed. I do not have a daughter but it is still hard for me to imagine viewing my daughter as a liability to my family or dedicating her to Yellamma to become a sex slave at 10 to 13 years old so that she could provide our family with enough money to eat. Equally difficult imagining that being a young girl in that type of situation that becoming a sex slave was the best or only way of survival. Great example of how vastly different societies can be and what the people will do to survive.
ReplyDeleteGlide246
It would be super hard to have a daughter while living in India and having her become a sex slave at such a young age. I don't know how mothers could put their child through such a thing and seeing it as an ok thing to do. Its sad that its kind of forced upon them by their families.
Deletekmoney246
Its sad to watch this video and seeing these women selling themselves for money as income for their family. That would be hard to have a family that believes in Devadasi and has no say in if they want to do it or not. For them its normal and they don't see it as a big deal, but I can't imagine having a daughter and having her go through that starting at a young age. The last family they showed was also sad seeing how Devadasi changed their lives and having their daughter die from HIV from being a prostitute. It would be extremely hard to live in India as a girl and having a religion where prostitution is ok.
ReplyDeletekmoney246
I believe prostitution is not ok wherever you go, but in some countries like in India it is. I respect that prostitution is ok in India even though I do not like it. India's way of life is much different than our way of life.
DeleteKevin246
Prostitution, honestly, is whatever. It's going to happen whether anyone wants it to or not. Watching the part of the video with the family with the daughter who passed was just very sad, and it just made me that much more thankful that I live in America, and that my children as well will grow up here.
Deletejosko246
I agree that prostitution will probably always be around. Its just so much more gross when it is happening to young girls whose destiny is being chosen by their parents. I know the "American way" is not right for every society, but it would be better if the girls could atleast have the final say. YellowSubmarine246
DeleteLike Kevin said I believe prostitution is not ok wherever you go. No matter where you go there is always someone that will disagree with you. We can look right here in America and see prostitution happening, and I don’t believe people should have to live that way here. Life is what they make it though. I’m just glad I don’t have to live that way.
DeleteKristen 246
I feel that the religion is no longer what it used to be and is simply a cover for being exactly what is going on within the "religion"; sex trafficking. Its painful to watch and hear testimonies on it, when we live in America and have every given chance to excel and succeed, while they are denied that right from a very early age, given the circumstances of the family.
Deletealterend246
This video was very sad to watch. I could never imagine living in India and actually witnessing that. I would never think a father could exploit their daughter like that for money. I would never do that to my own daughter; her body is her temple and she can choose what she wants to do with it. Having no say in whether you're being sold for sex is just very wrong and very disturbing. Devadasi seems like a very dictatorial religion to practice. However, religion is religion. Families in India seem to be okay with their lives this way.
ReplyDeletejosko246
People from all over the world practice different standards, and have a different way of life. If I had a daughter I would never let her do anything like this at all. People do what they have to do to make a living, and just to get by another day. Though what was going on in the video I completely disagree with, that is their choice on how to live their lives.
DeleteRed246
This video was quite interesting to watch. It is very crazy how open some people are to the idea of prostitution in the name of God. This is the first time I have seen, or heard anything like it. Personally, I would never do that to my own children no matter how poor, but to most of them it is the lifestyle they were raised in. Some of them had no other upbringing, but seeing how they view the sex working as part of their religion, then we have no right to judge. I found that the sex working Pandu, sorry if misspelled was the one that surprised me the most, and wanted his daughter to have a different life, unlike some of them.
ReplyDeleteblub246
I didn’t feel that all of them saw it as part of their religion. The 14 year old girl who was spotted working in a field, picked up by a scout, and then promised by her parents into the Davadassi sex working industry did not make that choice based on religion.YellowSubmarine246
DeleteWhat I got from this video was that the girl and their families do not necessarily want this for their daughters, but they do not really have a choice. Because of them being women, who are not of equality to men in India and poor, they don't have the resources to do better for children. If the girl's mother or family was in the business, so to say, this left very little choice for them. They could work as street cleaners or field workers but still risked being forced in prostitution. It is sad to say that not everyone has the freedom that we have living in the United States. GMD246
DeleteI thought this was a very sad video. Even though some of the women shown were okay with being sex workers and claimed they chose the life on their own, they were mainly the brothel owners and were probably making more money than some of the other girls. I understand it is a way of life for lower classes of people in India, but it is still very shocking and sad that parents will promise their prepubescent daughters to brothel owners in exchange for money. I agree with the host in that all of the cultural and religious ties to this ceremony are gone and all that is left is a sex trade for young girls. It is not fair that they do not have a choice. I was surprised by the fact that some of them were practicing safe sex and that there were transvestite sex workers as well. YellowSubmarine246
ReplyDeleteI think if parents had a better option for their children they would do what it took to get them that. But there really isn't a better option for them. Especially if parents need the income they don't have the time to wait for the girls to go to school and get an education. Therefore this is their only choice.
DeleteKristen 246
Finding out how the people in India live was a shock but to a certain extent. Throughout human history women have been there to please mans every need and to bring children. Women have also been proud to have this control over the male mind. Is it wrong the way they live? Yes but to me because its socially different than what I'm accustomed to. But for them and their culture it is the way of life. And cultures are what make people and their community who they are. But prostitution will always be around because they're will always be sad pathetic men who will spend their money on it.
ReplyDeleteFalcons246
I do not think women have control over men with sex. Most societies and even the bible tells women they are to serve man. With a society and cultural country like India where technology is limited to the very rich, these women are being raised like their mothers and their mothers before them. Prostitution was created for the royals. This was not some sort of a ploy to take over or control men. I think if that was the case, women would be more equal to men in India. GMD246
DeleteI don't think that prostitution is "man's fault" that was never the goal. As for what GMD246 said, I mostly agree with you. But, what I don't agree with is the part about technology. As much as we say technology plays a part in this, if we compare this to America, we can (and will) see that even the most technologically advanced cities have prostitution.
DeleteBodyCall246
I have a friend who is from India, and would tell me about the extreme poverty that is over there. Watching this documentary about how women would sell themselves for money is a very plausible situation, especially given the living standards. What is the scariest thought about the whole ordeal is the spread of HIV, because not every person on the street is willing to go to a clinic and spend the extra money on getting tested. The whole becoming a Devadasi, and giving yourself to the Devadasi god seems to just be used as a scape-goat instead of just out right saying that you're a prostitute. Prostitution though is not something that is happening in India, but throughout the world.
ReplyDeleteRed246
Just because you perceive it as a scapegoat doesn't mean they believe it as such. If they truly believe in the Devadasi god, we have no right to criticize them. We have a right to disagree, and I guess this is a good example of that. I do agree when you say that prostitution isn't only happening in India, though. -Moony246
DeleteI wasn’t shocked at this video. I have seen other documentaries on sex trafficking. Although it wasn’t new information to me, I’m still disgusted by it. I understand that this is just the way of life for those people and most of them have no other choice but to be stuck living that kind of live to survive. Like one girl said in the video there would be no use for her to get an education because that town would have no value for it. It’s sad to me to see how much hurt can be caused by sex trafficking, from emotional hurt to disease, to even death. I do think it’s wrong how young girls have to support their families rather than the males in the family. It’s to bad people can take and twist religion to such distorted thinking. Unfortunately there is very little to do to change things for the people of India or other people in sex trafficking, especially when most of them don’t want to leave now that they have been pulled into the system.
ReplyDeleteKristen 246
I agree, it's unfortunate and saddening to know that things like this are a way of life for anyone, let alone for many women in countries like this. It seems unfair that they should be denied their futures so that they can provide for the family at the time, then move on and possibly continue the cycle. The day of equal opportunity in these poorer countries is sadly not close enough.
Deletealterend246
I am in culture shock after watching this video. The fact that some women and men are reduced to prostitution to provide for their families is heartbreaking. To be a parent and then have to decide to let yourself and your family starve or to assign your daughter to this lifestyle, probably one she does not wish. These girls are given the ultimate guilt trip, either sleep with men for money or you and your family starve. This did start out as a cultural choice and sex was not initially a part of serving the Goddess of Yellamma, however over time it have lead to forced prostitution. These girls have no choice now, this has become a way to support their families, even if they wanted to get out and leave this choice they are still shun d by the rest of society. GMD246
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100%. While watching this video I was sickened by what I saw so my wife decided to be interested in what I was watching, and after that we both had the same look of disgust on our faces. I also agree that at first the prostitution had nothing to do with serving Yellamma and now somehow it is. It makes us sick that they are forced to choose this as a life or have their family suffer.
DeleteGross246
As I'm sure everyone feels, prostitution is immoral and wrong. In the case of India, however, it is difficult to outright condone it. On one hand, it helps care for the women's families, gives them a stable outcome and allows them to have a future that they otherwise would not have had given their circumstances. On the other hand, it is a perversion of a former religious following that is still a following today, but much less of what it used to be and its followers are now looked down upon by most for what they do. Prostitution spreads disease and sadness wherever it may go and is merely a quick fix to a large problem. Prostitution is never a good thing, but to those that live in impoverished countries, it is a means of survival, as sad as it is.
ReplyDeletealterend246
I'm not really sure if you could even call becoming a prostitute, in their situations, as allowing them to have a future. Honestly there would be nothing for them to ever look forward to unless its looking forward to their family surviving. That would more likely be a "future" for them in my eyes. I do love how you wrapped up, because I agree with you about it spreading disease and sadness wherever it goes. That was great!
DeleteGross246
I agree with Gross246. Becoming a prostitute wont get you any higher job in life as far as in the real world. Even if they become the most highly looked upon Devadaci girl they will still be looked down upon in their society. I believe that some of the girls who are really young and get sacrificed don't really know anything else besides prostitution so they just make that their living. That becomes their comfort zone.
DeleteElbow-knee_246
I really want to question if the whole Yellamma goddess is a real thing, or if it is just a gimmick or a scapegoat to try and justify the idea of prostitution. I feel that they all know it's wrong in some sense but use their praying to Yellemma as a way to make it right. I understand that this may be the only thing that some families have to be able to function and survive, but there is no need to push it on others or brag about it by building a temple. It makes me (and my wife) sick that 10, 11, 12 year old girls are being volun-told to throw their lives away to become prostitutes for life to support their families. Becoming a prostitute this young opens doors for numerous health concerns as the video stated with HIV. It would be devastating not only to India but to the entire world if these viruses and diseases spread to enough people. I understand that their culture is very different from ours, and thats fine, but when theres lives and well-beings at stake, we have to draw the line.
ReplyDeleteGross246
I agree that it is wrong for these young girls to be selling themselves, yes, but we can not blame the way that there religious custom has changed into this over time. In the beginning of Yellamma's system, prostitution was not the goal. They were dancers for the rich. Now, after outsiders took away there temples and forced them underground they found that prostitution was their only way to go. I guess what I am trying to say that none of these girls chose this for themselves and many of their parents did not know what the "profession" was.
DeleteBodyCall246
I found this video very appalling. Being of the Hindu religion myself, there are many Gods to be worshipped here and the have chosen Yallamma, but her beliefs are different from the "norm". I don't think that many of these families that dedicate their young daughters are very sure of what this "profession" entails. They seem like they are more interested in the money and the better life they are told it creates for themselves. I feel as though this practice places shame on Hinduism as a whole, even though in the beginning Devadasi meant that you were an exotic dancer for the kings and the Gods. It is very sad that over time this religious practice has lost all of its cultural ties and has become this crazy prostitution ring it is today. I just do not understand how people say that if they were in America things would be different. Every country has these problems, no matter how much we try to deny it.
ReplyDeleteBodyCall246
Its sad to think that the change from "exotic dancer for the gods" to "common sex worker" was more than likely brought about by Christianity and the Crusades. Just because Hindus held different beliefs and had different gods, these poor girls are subjected to the humiliation and degradation of being forced to sell their bodies.
Delete~lilblack94gt246~
I find it kind of odd that India considers prostitution to be sort of a social norm. It almost seems that prostitution in India is almost encouraged, but overseas we consider prostitution is to be quite the opposite. Kind of irritated that prostitutes are seen as highly regarded as they are, since that cannot be safe for those girls being so young and so open to HIV or aids. I cant say i agree whatsoever with the their way of life, but what can you do that is just their way of life. WISC_Hurdler246
ReplyDeleteI find it kind of odd that India considers prostitution to be sort of a social norm. It almost seems that prostitution in India is almost encouraged, but overseas we consider prostitution is to be quite the opposite. Kind of irritated that prostitutes are seen as highly regarded as they are, since that cannot be safe for those girls being so young and so open to HIV or aids. I cant say i agree whatsoever with the their way of life, but what can you do that is just their way of life. WISC_Hurdler246
ReplyDeleteOne particular segment in the clip made me think a little deeper into what stresses go into making a personal sacrifice into a decision like this. The one young prostitute had her entire family looking to her to provide food and clothes to sustain life for her and her poor family. It wasn’t a selfish act in anyway, but what it makes me think is; would her family even survive if she didn’t make that sacrifice?
DeleteEthos246
Just another example of how the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. It seems like a way for the lower income families to have one less mouth to feed in exchange for the wealthy to make a profit on the unfortunate circumstances of the lower class citizens. The age is the biggest part that makes this seems taboo for our way of life in the U.S. culture. If you see or hear about some twelve year in the news that was sexually abused it makes us sick and we cannot even imagine it where as in India it seems like just another part of life that some people make into a "norm".
ReplyDeleteEthos246
I agree. The age is the biggest issue to me. The girls don't even have a chance to form their own opinion let alone pick their own partner. And to think of the young girls who go in there and the old men take advantage of them. That's so sad. But it's like they can't do anything about it cause that's their job and their's no one they can run to because they were sacrificed so from my understanding if something like rape was to happen they could think that it was meant to happen. Like it was from the Gods and they were being punished or something.
DeleteElbow-knee_246
I agree. In the United States, something like this would be considered child pornography and prostitution, and would be punishable with jail time. But in India, it is a norm. Its sad and sick to think that a young girls first time, is just another "wham, bam, thank you ma'am." I couldn't imagine forcing my daughter to become a Devadasi.
Delete~lilblack94gt246~
This video was really sad to me, because in their culture they don't get to choose what they want to do with their future if the parents want to sacrifice their daughter to the Devadasi then that child has to go. I feel as if the young ladies were old enough to choose this for a way of living is one thing but if the parents "sacrifice" them it's another. This is also increasing the spread of HIV in their society. Young ladies life are ending because they catch HIV in this line of prostitution. Like the lady said at the end of the video, she lost her daughter to HIV and the train has to stop somewhere. Her, her mom, and daughter all served as a Devadasi girl and it's not worth it anymore. She'd rather beg for food than go back.
ReplyDeleteElbow-knee_246
I completely agree with you, it's sad that these girls were sold into this way of life to pretty much be the bread winners for their families, the girls are so young and know nothing more than what they are told, it's sad that their lives are chosen for them.
Delete-heartsiized246
I think that it is sad that what started as a religious calling, is getting turned into something as lowly as prostitution. If the woman were to choose to be a prostitute, would be one thing, but these girls are being forced into it because their family has no way to support itself.
ReplyDeleteI find it disturbing that instead of the more prosperous regions helping the poorer regions, they just completely turn their backs on the Devadasi. But honestly, if you think about it, it is pretty similar to the way things are anywhere in the world. Most places, it just doesn't have the religious aspect behind it. People have been selling their bodies for centuries. women and girls did it in Vietnam during the war, the concubines did it, and people are still doing it. All just to survive and feed their families.
To the women and girls who sell their bodies, it is just a way of survival.
~lilblack94gt246~
I found the way of life for the devadasi girls very sad, although I understand that each culture has it's own way, it almost seemed as if they used the religion as an excuse to make themselves feel better about their situation, afterall most of the girls were sold into this way of life by their parents for money. I couldn't imagine living my life the way the girls do in this video and what was even more sad was the fact that they had pride in what they did because that's all they knew, from the time they were children being a sex worker was the only way of life they knew, it didn't seem to be as much about religion when they talked about it, they used this way of life as survival.
ReplyDelete-heartsiized246
Everyone's beliefs are different. If what you believe isn't hurting anyone, then carry on. If prostitution is part of their way of life, then it's just their way of life. If it's part of their religion, then it's part of their religion. If people are bashing the Indian religion for prostitution, then it's the same as bashing Christians for disagreeing with gay marriage. We can all have our own opinions, no one needs to demean another person's. -Moony246
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