Subjective Wellbeing of Women in the Marine Fisherfolk of Kerala: Anthropological Insights on Life Experience, Attitude, and Life Satisfaction

Human desire to attain the state of being well has existed since the beginning of man’s social life. Within and across cultures, people conceptualize wellbeing differently because of its multidimensional nature. Even though the perspective towards wellbeing is totally relative, it is basically connected with one’s attitude towards quality of life and life circumstances. Among the women in fisherfolk, decrease in marine resources, institutional changes, occupational diversification, and the role of Kudumbasree initiatives have created significant changes in attitudes towards being well. This anthropological research analyses the mediating effect of three socio-cultural domains such as life experience, attitude, and life satisfaction on different aspects of subjective wellbeing. Three hundred and ten women from the marine fisherfolk families in Kozhikode district of Kerala participated in the study. The structural equation modelling proposed in the study revealed the significant influence of above three domains on subjective wellbeing with the support of thirteen sub domains including health and hunger. The model also reflects the signifiers relevant to the life satisfaction of women in a particular socio-cultural, economic, and environmental setting. The findings of the study have ethical and applied implications, if subjective dimensions of wellbeing are considered in the preparation of public policies for women and thereby attaining a life circumstance where there is zero hunger.