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Contents
Acknowledgements vi
One
Introduction: Unpacking A Feminist Nirvana 1
Two
Diverse Households: Literature on Female-headship 14
Three
The "Grand" and "Meta" Narratives: Situating Sri Lankan Female-heads 29
Four
Matrilineal Muslims: Female-heads in the Muslim Community 51
Five
Variation on a Theme: Sinhala Female-heads in Hybrid Lineage Systems 71
Six
Matriclan Ideologies and Patriarchal Structures: Female-headship among Tamils 95
Seven
Dutiful Daughters, Sacrificing Sons 117
Eight
Juggling Acts: Political, Economic and Social Realities 144
Nine
Nearing Limits or Pushing Boundaries? 174
Ten
Conclusion: Interested Engagement---Feminist Issues in Development Economics 204
Appendix A
Map of Sri Lanka 213
Appendix B
Sample Questionnaire for Female-headed Households 215
Appendix C
Data Analysis: Methods, Motivations and Outcomes 226
References 232