PROBLEMS FACED BY DESTITUTE WIDOWSAT VARIOUS SITUATIONS IN NAGAPATTINAM DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU

The situation of a woman whose husband has died is referred to as widowhood. A widow who lacks care, support, and financial resources is considered a destitute widow. In many societies, widows are often believed to have committed sins in their present or previous lives. As a result, they are stigmatized, socially ostracized, discriminated against, oppressed, and marginalized in all spheres of life. They face numerous challenges, including financial hardship,social isolation, and difficulties related to remarriage, especially during the early years of widowhood.The problems faced by destitute widows vary in intensity depending on several factors such as education, age, income, socio economic background, and employment status. Illiteracy, low levels of education, limited self-confidence, and lack of employment opportunities often lead to social isolation, exclusion, neglect, and marginalization in various aspects of life.In general, destitute widows experience greater difficulties in meeting the needs of their families while also fulfilling the expectations of society in accordance with prevailing social values and cultural norms. Their circumstances often require significant changes in their attitudes, behaviors, and ways of coping with life. Consequently, they encounter unique and complex problems that distinguish them from other members of society in general and from their own family members in particular.Understanding the problems of destitute widows is important because the pressures exerted by family and society often make it difficult for them to access and utilize the resources available to them effectively.