Abstract
The research enclosed considers the perspectives and experiences of men from a masculinities perspective in the context of the women-specific poverty alleviation program Kudumbashree. The Kudumbashree program is a government program in the South Indian state of Kerala that delivers micro-financial services through women-only SHGs to the poor. This thesis is an exploration of men and masculinities in the context of a program that targets women as development agents. Based on extensive fieldwork in a slum in Kerala’s capital city Thiruvananthapuram, I provide empirical data on men’s perceptions of the program from interviews and observations. I then analyze that data through a multidisciplinary approach, utilizing theories and concepts from masculinities studies, development studies and literature. I argue that Kudumbashree provides the twin benefit of promoting the masculine ideals of educating one’s children and household provisioning, while at the same time providing support for men’s labor.