CHAPTER - IV

SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF

SAMPLE FISHING WORKERS

4.1. General

The prime objective of this study is to analyse the economic activities and

to assess the socio-demographic conditions of the marine fishermen in

Thoothukudi district, one of the important maritime districts of Tamil Nadu. The

labour participation of these marine fishermen is influenced by many socio-

demographic factors like age, literacy, religion, caste, housing condition,

sanitation, health, social habits, occupation, income, expenditure, savings and

indebtedness. Conversely, the socio-demographic characteristics determine the

level of the fishing activities too. Hence, in this chapter, an attempt is made to

analyse the impact of the social factors on the role of marine fishing workers in

Thoothukudi district.

4.2. Craft-wise distribution of the Respondents

The craft has been classified into three categories namely vallam craft,

mechanised boat and fibre boat for analytical purposes. Craft-wise distribution of

the sample respondents is given in Table 4.1.

 Table: 4.1 – Craft-wise distribution of the Respondents

Craft Groups Total Percentage

Vallam Craft 200 33.3.4

Mechanised Boat 200 33.33

Fibre Boat 200 33.33

All 600 100.00

Source: Field Survey

The table 4.1 shows that, out of the total sample size, 200 respondents

(33.34 per cent) are vallam craft workers. There are 200 (33.33 percent)

respondents are mechanized boat workers and remaining 200 respondents (33.33

per cent) are fibre boat workers.

4.3. Age-wise Composition of the Respondents

Age is one of the determining factors of employment. A family which

contains more number of children and aged people will suffer since their earning

capacity is low. On the contrary, a family would better off, if it contains more

working class people. The age-wise composition of the respondents is shown in

the following Table 4.2.

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 Table: 4.2 – Age-wise Composition of the Respondents
Age Group (in Years)
Craft Groups Total
Below 21 - 30 31 - 40 41 - 50 51 - 60 Above
20 60
24 31 38 61 28 18 200
Vallam Craft
(4.00) (5.17) (6.33) (10.17) (4.67) (3.00) (33.33)
16 27 32 55 38 32 200
Mechanised Boat
(2.67) (4.50) (5.33) (9.17) (6.33) (5.33) (33.33)
14 28 50 54 25 29 200
Fibre Boat
(2.33) (4.67) (8.33) (9.00) (4.17) (4.83) (33.34)
54 86 120 170 91 79 600
All (9.00) (14.34) (20.00) (28.33) (15.17) (13.16) (100.00)

Source: Field Survey

Note : Figures in parentheses indicate the percentage to total

It could be seen from Table 4.2 that 28.33 per cent of the fishing workers

engaged in various fishing activities belong to the age group of 41-50, and 20 per

cent belong to the age group of 31-40. 15.17 per cent are in the age group of

51-60. An interesting feature is that men in the age group of more than 60 years

are 13.16 per cent. This indicates that the fishermen community is custom bound

and that it prevents the men in the most productive age from work participation.

After the age of 65 the male members keep away from fishing, and they are cared

by their children. Nine per cent belong to the age group of below 20. This

indicates that the young fishermen community does not like these fishing

activities.

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4.4. Religion-wise distribution of the Respondents

Religion in the Indian society plays a major role in the economic activities

especially of women. Religion plays an important role also in determining the

socio-economic conditions of the fishermen. Religion gives less inducement to

the virtues of thrift and hard work. Development is not just a matter of having

plenty of money nor does it embrace social behaviour but the virtues of religion.

Table: 4.3 - Religion-wise distribution of the Respondents

Religion
Craft Groups
Christians Hindus Muslims Total

191 9 0 200
Vallam Craft (31.83) (1.50) (0.00) (33.33)
128 57 15 200
Mechanised Boat (21.33) (9.50) (2.50) (33.33)
109 81 10 200
Fibre Boat (18.17) (13.50) (1.67) (33.34)
All 428 147 25 600
(71.33) (24.50) (4.17) (100.00)

Source: Field Survey

Note : Figures in parentheses indicate the percentage to total

The above table 4.3 shows that majority of the respondents are Christians

(71.33%), 24.50 per cent of the respondents are Hindus and 4.17 per cent of the

respondents are Muslims. But, there is no communal difference among the

followers of these three main religions. There exists marital relationship among

these religious groups of fishermen.

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4.5. Social Class-wise distribution of the Respondents

Caste system plays an important role in determining the socio-economic

conditions of fishermen community. Traditionally the people who lived on the

coast and had fishing as their major occupation were identified as fishing

community. There are distinct groups within the general fishing community.

However, all those caste groups come within the official community grouping viz.,

Backward Caste, Most Backward Caste, Scheduled Castes and others. The

distribution of fish workers based on their social class is presented in the following

table.

Table: 4.4 - Social Class-wise distribution of the Respondents

Social Class
Craft Groups
Total
BC MBC SC

Vallam Craft 29 165 6 200

(4.83) (27.50) (1.00) (33.33)

Mechanised Boat 57 131 12 200

(9.50) (21.83) (2.00) (33.33)

Fibre Boat 41 151 8 200

(6.83) (25.17) (1.33) (33.34)

All 127 447 26 600

(21.17) (74.50) (4.33) (100.00)

Source: Field Survey

Note : Figures in parentheses indicate the percentage to total

The table 4.4 reveals that majority of the respondents belong to MBC i.e.

74.50 per cent of the total sample population. The next dominant caste is BC i.e.

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 21.17 per cent. A minimum of 4.33 per cent belong to SC. There is no other caste

in this study area. The researcher has come to a conclusion that there is little

chance for caste problems, because a single caste i.e. paravars dominate the study

area.

4.6. Educational Status-wise distribution of the Respondents

Education is the lever of development in any society. A greater percentage

of the fish workers are either illiterate or educated at primary or middle school

level. The distribution of fishing workers based on their educational status is

presented in the following table.

Table: 4.5 - Educational Status-wise Distribution of the Respondents

Educational Status
Middle School
School Level

Craft Groups
High School

Total
Technical
Illiterate

Primary

Hr. Sec.

College
School
Level

Level

Level

Level

118 36 28 18 0 0 0 200
Vallam Craft (19.67) (6.00) (4.67) (3.00) (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) (33.34)
77 56 33 25 2 4 3 200
Mechanised Boat (12.83) (9.33) (5.50) (4.17) (0.33) (0.67) (0.50) (33.33)
59 47 36 45 6 4 3 200
Fibre Boat (9.83) (7.83) (6.00) (7.50) (1.00) (0.67) (0.50) (33.33)
All 254 139 97 88 8 8 6 600
(42.33) (23.17) (16.17) (14.67) (1.33) (1.33) (1.00) (100.00)
Source: Field Survey
Note : Figures in parentheses indicate the percentage to total

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 Table 4.5 clearly indicates that nearly 57.67 per cent of the respondents are

literates. It is a peculiar situation in this study area that all people have a positive

attitude towards education. However, 23.17 per cent of the respondents have

studied primary level of education, 16.17 per cent of the respondents have studied

middle school level of education. 42.33 per cent of the respondents are illiterates,

but they also try to educate their children to the maximum extent possible.

4.7. Subsidiary Occupation-wise distribution of the Respondents

Occupation indicates the nature of livelihood of a population as well as the

social status that a particular community is bestowed with. In this study area a vast

majority of the workforce is engaged in fishing related activities. The fisherfolk of

Thoothukudi district engaged in catamaran craft, vallam crafts, mechanised boats,

fibre boats for fishing. But catamaran craft after Tsunami has became unpopular

in Thoothukudi district. Later three type of crafts are very much popular among

the maritime districts of Tamil Nadu for their expertise in fishing.

Apart from fishing a sizeable number of fishermen and fisherwomen

engage in fishing-allied activities like fish-vending, wholesale trade of dried and

fresh fish, net making, fish processing and coir-retting. Even though the fishing

and its allied activities are seasonal occupation with irregular flow of income,

most of the fisherfolks do not have any alternative employment. The reason is that

the fisherfolk, especially those fishing, by virtue of their socio-economic status

and occupation, do not have opportunities to mingle with non-fishing

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 communities. This causes a sense of unwillingness to do any work other than

fishing. The following table gives the number of sample households with

subsidiary occupations.

Table: 4.6 - Subsidiary Occupation-wise distribution of the Respondents

Fishing Related Subsidiary Occupations

Professionalist
Self Employed

Government

Agriculture

occupation
Employee

Employee
Craft Groups
Activities

No Sub-
Total

Private
68 2 0 14 7 14 95 200
Vallam Craft
(11.33) (0.33) (0.00) (2.33) (1.18) (2.33) (15.83) (33.33)
76 4 5 12 9 8 86 200
Mechanised Boat
(12.67) (0.67) (0.83) (2.00) (1.50) (1.33) (14.33) (33.33)
59 12 16 14 8 13 78 200
Fibre Boat
(9.83) (2.00) (2.67) (2.33) (1.33) (2.18) (13.00) (33.34)
All 203 18 21 40 24 35 259 600
(33.83) (3.00) (3.50) (6.67) (4.00) (5.83) (43.17) (100.00)
Source: Field Survey
Note : Figures in parentheses indicate the percentage to total

Table 4.6 explains that among the 600 respondent families, 33.83 per cent

engage in fishing related activities like fish-vending, wholesale trade of dried and

fresh fish, net making, fish processing and coir-retting, three per cent are self

employed, 3.50 per cent are government employees, 6.67 per cent are

professionals, four per cent are private employee, 5.83 per cent are agriculturists

and 43.17 per cent of the fishermen are unemployed. Majority of the fishing

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workers, as much as 43 per cent are not having any subsidiary occupation. They

do not earn any income for their households.

4.8. Nature of Family-wise distribution of the Respondents

Nature of family refers to the system of setting a family. In conservative

society, joint family is a tradition and in among educated and cultured society,

nuclear family prevails. The system prevails in the present research is explained

through Table 4.7.

Table: 4.7 - Nature of Family-wise distribution of the Respondents

Nature of Family
Craft Groups
Total
Joint Nuclear

9 191 200
Vallam Craft (1.50) (31.83) (33.33)

14 186 200
Mechanised Boat (2.33) (31.00) (33.33)

22 178 200
Fibre Boat (3.67) (29.67) (33.34)

All 45 555 600

(7.50) (92.50) (100.00)

Source: Field Survey

Note : Figures in parentheses indicate the percentage to total

It is obvious that out of 600 respondents, 45 respondents (7.50%) are from

joint families which include nine vallam crafts fishing workers family, 14 from

mechanised boats fishing workers family and 22 are fibre boats fishing workers

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 family groups. Remaining 92.50 per cent of the respondents from nuclear families

which include 191 are vallam crafts fishermen family, 186 are mechanised boats

fishermen family and 178 are fibre boats fishermen family groups. It is a common

tradition that a man will form a nuclear family immediately after his marriage. The

parents like their children to set up nuclear family which create responsibility in

them. The joint family system is withering away irrespective of the poor

economic condition. The following bar diagram explains the nature of family

among the fishermen of various craft groups.

Figure: 4.1 - Nature of Family-wise distribution of the Respondents

35 31.83 31.00
29.67
30

25
Percentage

20

15

10

5 3.67
1.50 2.33

0
Catamarans Mechanised Boat Fibre Boat

Joint Family Nuclear Family

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4.9. Family Size-wise distribution of the Respondents

The size of the family is an important factor, which determines the

economic condition and standard of living of the fishermen community. If more

number of young or unemployed members in the family, the income of the family

does not increase correspondingly but contrarily, the expenditure of their family

increases. The size of family exerts influence on childcare, recreation and

nutrition. The distribution of respondents on the basis of the size of the family in

the study area is depicted in Table 4.8.

Table: 4.8 - Family Size-wise distribution of the Respondents

Size of the Family

Craft Groups
Total
1–2 3–4 5–6 More
than 6
9 58 102 31 200
Vallam Craft
(1.50) (9.67) (17.00) (5.17) (33.34)
5 60 99 36 200
Mechanised Boat
(0.83) (10.00) (16.50) (6.00) (33.33)
12 85 79 24 200
Fibre Boat
(2.00) (14.17) (13.17) (4.00) (33.33)
All 26 203 280 91 600
(4.33) (33.83) (46.67) (15.17) (100.00)
Source: Field Survey
Note : Figures in parentheses indicate the percentage to total

It is found in the above table that among 600 sample households, 4.33 per

cent of them have small families, which consist of 1-2 members each, 203

214
households (33.83%) fall in the family size of 3 to 4 members and 280 households

(46.67%) have a family size from 5 to 6 members each. Of the 600 fishermen

households, 91 per cent are much larger (more than six members) in size. On the

whole, more than 61.84 per cent of the total sample households have larger

families. This accounts for over population in the coastal villages and the

consequent socio-economic backwardness of the population.

4.10. House Particulars of the Respondents

House is the basic infrastructure of all the citizens in the world. The

residing house may be thatched or tiled or concrete. The possession of house may

be owned or rented among the sample fishing workers.

4.10.1. Ownership-wise distribution of house of the Respondents

Ownership of the house is one of the indicators of socio-economic

conditions of fishermen. If a family has got an own housing such a family is

considered as a well-settled one.

The table 4.9 shows that out of the total respondents, 69.67 per cent of the

respondents have got own houses, out of which 20.67 per cent are vallam craft

fishermen, 23.50 per cent are mechanised boat workers and 25.50 per cent are

fibre boat workers. 20.17 per cent are own free houses constructed by the

government and the remaining 10.17 per cent live in rented houses in the area.

The researcher has come to a conclusion that majority (69.67%) of the fishing

workers are living in their own houses.

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 Table: 4.9 – Ownership-wise distribution of house of the Respondents

Ownership
Craft Groups
Own Rented Govt. Free Total
House
124 24 52 200
Vallam Craft
(20.67) (4.00) (8.67) (33.34)
141 21 38 200
Mechanised Boat
(23.50) (3.50) (6.33) (33.33)
153 16 31 200
Fibre Boat
(25.50) (2.67) (5.16) (33.33)
All 418 61 121 600
(69.67) (10.17) (20.17) (100.00)
Source: Field Survey
Note : Figures in parentheses indicate the percentage to total

4.10.2. Housing Pattern-wise distribution of the Respondents

House pattern is a pointer to the economic scale of the people in general. If

a family has got a concrete house such a family can be considered as a rich one.

The distributions of sample households in different housing pattern are presented

in Table 4.10.

The table 4.10 shows that out of the total respondents, 39.50 per cent of the

respondents have got concrete houses, 23.50 per cent of the respondents are

having tiled houses and the remaining 37 per cent have thatched houses. Among

the 600 samples, 121 houses (20.17%) have been constructed under the fishermen

free housing schemes by the government. The researcher has come to the

216
conclusion that majority of the fishermen are living in tiled and concrete houses

because of their moderate standard of living.

Table: 4.10 - House Pattern-wise distribution of the Respondents

House Pattern
Craft Groups
Thatched Tiled Concrete Total

79 36 85 200
Vallam Craft (13.17) (6.00) (14.17) (33.34)
54 48 98 200
Mechanised Boat (9.00) (8.00) (16.33) (33.33)
89 57 54 200
Fibre Boat (14.83) (9.50) (9.00) (33.33)
All 222 141 237 600
(37.00) (23.50) (39.50) (100.00)
Source: Field Survey
Note : Figures in parentheses indicate the percentage to total

4.10.3. Electrification of Houses-wise distribution of the Respondents

Electricity is supposed to be indispensable for modern living, and hence

electricity also represents the level of economic conditions of the fisherfolks.

Even though majority of villages are provided with electricity, the small villages

situated near the shore are not provided with electricity. Table 4.11 shows the

electrification of houses of the fishermen in the study area.

217
 Table: 4.11 - Electrification of Houses-wise distribution of the
Respondents
Electrification
Craft Groups
Free Payment Non-electrified Total

36 151 13 200
Vallam Craft
(6.00) (25.17) (2.17) (33.34)
22 160 18 200
Mechanised Boat
(3.67) (26.67) (3.00) (33.33)
54 125 21 200
Fibre Boat
(9.00) (20.83) (3.50) (33.33)
All 112 436 52 600
(18.67) (72.67) (8.67) (100.00)
Source: Field Survey
Note : Figures in parentheses indicate the percentage to total

It is obvious that among the houses of 600 respondents, 52 houses are not

electrified, which provides evidence to the economic backwardness of these

fishermen. Of the 548 houses having electricity, 112 enjoy free supply of

electricity provided by the government, while 436 pay the electricity charges.

8.67 per cent of the fishermen houses use kerosene for lighting their houses.

4.10.4. Toilet and Bath Room of houses-wise distribution of the

Respondents

The lack of sanitary facilities is seen in coastal areas. A sizable number of

households in all the coastal villages of Thoothukudi district do not have any

private latrines or toilets. Every hiding place serves as a toilet for women and men

218
use the beach as their toilets. The toilet and bath room facilities of sample

households in the study area are presented in Table 4.12.

Table: 4.12 - Toilet and Bath Room of houses-wise distribution of the

Respondents

Toilet and Bath Room

Craft Groups
Available Not Available Total

129 71 200
Vallam Craft (21.50) (11.84) (33.34)

137 63 200
Mechanised Boat (22.83) (10.50) (33.33)

146 54 200
Fibre Boat (24.33) (9.00) (33.33)

All 412 188 600

(68.67) (31.33) (100.00)

Source: Field Survey

Note : Figures in parentheses indicate the percentage to total

Table 4.12 indicates that, out of 600 households of the fishermen engaged

in fishing, 67.67 per cent of the respondents have separate toilet and bath room

facilities. Among the households, 21.50 per cent are vallam craft fisherman’s

family, 22.83 per cent are mechanised boat fisherman’s family and 24.33 per cent

are fibre boat fishermen families. 31.33 per cent of the households do not have

toilet and bath room facilities. Among them, 11.84 per cent are vallam craft

fisherman’s family, 10.50 per cent are mechanised boat fisherman’s family and

nine per cent are fibre boat fisherman family.

219
4.10.5. Number of Rooms in the Houses-wise distribution of the
Respondents

The number of rooms in a house is another indicator of the socio-economic

order of fishermen. If the house of a fisherman family has got more number of

rooms, then such a family could be considered as economically sound.

Table: 4.13 - Rooms in the houses-wise distribution of the

Respondents

No. of Rooms
Craft Groups
One Two Three More than Total
Three
55 72 73 0 200
Vallam Crafts
(9.17) (12.00) (12.17) (0.00) (33.34)
24 72 83 21 200
Mechanised Boat
(4.00) (12.00) (13.83) (3.50 (33.33)
36 56 63 45 200
Fibre Boat
(6.00) (9.33) (10.50) (7.50) (33.33)
All 96 200 219 85 600
(19.17) (33.33) (36.50) (11.00) (100.00)

Source: Field Survey

Note : Figures in parentheses indicate the percentage to total

The table 4.13 shows that out of the total respondents, 36.50 per cent of

them have three rooms in their houses, 33.33 per cent of the respondents have two

rooms (a living room and a bed room) in their houses, and 19.17 per cent are

having one room in their houses in these fishermen villages. All the inmates of the

household are living in the same room. A meagre percentage of the respondents

220
have got more than three rooms in their house. The researcher has come to a

conclusion that majority (36.50%) of the fishermen are living in houses with at

least three rooms namely a small living room, a bed room and a kitchen.

4.10.6. Drinking water-wise distribution of the Respondents

In the marine sector, the fishing hamlets are provided with protected water.

People use either wells or public pumps for drinking and cooking purpose. Impure

water is another hazard to health. There is a dearth of safe drinking water in all

coastal villages of Thoothukudi district. The quality of water available in most of

the coastal villages is that of ‘D’ class, i.e. the last grade which is fit for

aquaculture and animal husbandry. So the very low quality water poses a great

health hazard.

The percentage of people using well water for drinking purpose is 18.5

per cent (111 out of 600 of sample households) and 81.5 per cent are using public

pumps (489 out of 600). Table 4.14 shows the source of water supply to the

houses of fishing workers.

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 Table: 4.14 - Drinking water-wise distribution of the Respondents

Source of Drinking Water

Craft Groups
Own Tape Village Street Total
Pump Connection Well Pump
23 14 85 78 200
Vallam Craft
(3.83) (2.33) (14.17) (13.00) (33.33)
22 26 92 60 200
Mechanised Boat
(3.67) (4.33) (15.33) (10.00) (33.33)
19 32 78 71 200
Fibre Boat
(3.17) (5.33) (13.00) (11.84) (33.34)
All 64 72 255 209 600
(10.67) (12.00) (42.50) (34.83) (100.00)
Source: Field Survey
Note : Figures in parentheses indicate the percentage to total

The table 4.4 provides evidence to the economic backwardness of the

fishermen communities in the study area. 64 houses are having own pump in their

premise, 72 houses are having separate tap connection from panchayat and 255

respondents draw water from the village wells. But still 209 houses have to get

their life-giving water from the street pumps and tanker lorries. The researcher

has concluded that the standard of living of fishing workers is very poor and most

of the fishermen families are using the street pumps and tanker lorries as the

source of drinking water. It is an evident by the following bar diagram.

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 Figure: 4.2 - Drinking water-wise distribution of the Respondents

16 15.33
14.17
14 13 13
11.84
12
10
10
Percentage

6 5.33
4.33
3.833.67
4 3.17
2.33
2

0
Own Pump Tape Village Well Street Pump
Connection

Catamarans Mechanised Boat Fibre Boat

4.11. Medical Aid-wise distribution of the Respondents

There are 17 hospitals in the coastal villages in Thoothukudi district. But

these hospitals lack facilities for specialised treatment. Hence for any emergency

or serious illness the fisherfolks have to go to the district headquarters,

Thoothukudi. In order to get major medical help from a fully equipped hospital a

distance of 9 to 37 k.m. to be covered by coastal people. So, in the study area

private hospitals contribute more facilities and services to the coastal peoples.

Table 4.15 the shows sources of medical aids and types of craft groups.

223
 Table: 4.15 - Medical Aid-wise distribution of the Respondents

Sources of Medical Aids

Craft Groups
Government Private Total
Hospital Hospital
74 126 200
Vallam Craft (12.33) (21.00) (33.33)

94 106 200
Mechanised Boat (15.67) (17.67) (33.34)

61 139 200
Fibre Boat (10.17) (23.16) (33.33)

All 229 371 600

(38.17) (61.83) (100.00)

Source: Field Survey

Note : Figures in parentheses indicate the percentage to total

It could be seen from Table 4.15 that out of the total sample size, 229

fishermen respondents have medical aid from government hospital (38.17%) and

371 (61.83%) of the respondents have medical aids from private hospitals.

Among the fishermen who benefit from government hospitals, 74 families come

under the vallam craft group, 94 families come under the mechanised boat group

and 61 come under the fibre boat groups.

4.12. Opinion of Family Planning-wise distribution of the Respondents

In the coastal area, the high density of population, big size families huddled

together in very small huts and houses and skin infections, diarrhea and hookworm

infestations are common among the coastal fisherfolk. Polio attacks which are a

224
common sight reveal poor child care. Details about the opinion given by the

respondents on family planning are listed in Table 4.16.

Table: 4.16 - Opinion of Family Planning-wise distribution

of the Respondents
Family Planning
Craft Groups
Not No Total
Appreciated appreciated Opinion

84 66 50 200
Vallam Craft (14.00) (11.00) (8.33) (33.33)
89 38 73 200
Mechanised Boat (14.83) (6.33) (12.17) (33.33)
74 49 77 200
Fibre Boat (12.33) (8.17) (12.84) (33.34)
All 247 153 200 600
(41.17) (25.50) (33.33) (100.00)
Source: Field Survey
Note : Figures in parentheses indicate the percentage to total

It is clear from the table 4.16 that, 41.17 per cent of the fishermen

respondents have the opinion that the family planning is appreciated. While 25.50

per cent of the respondents feel that the family planning is not appreciated. 33.33

per cent of the respondents have no opinion about family planning. The researcher

has concluded that two-fifth of the respondents express that the family planning is

appreciated.

225
4.13. Life Insurance-wise distribution of the Respondents

The living conditions of coastal people in Thoothukudi district are far from

satisfactory. The nature of their occupation itself is highly dangerous and risky, it

involves a constant struggle between life and death.

Table: 4.17 - Life Insurance-wise distribution of the Respondents

Life Insurance
Craft Groups Total
Availing Not Availing

76 124 200
Vallam Craft (12.67) (20.67) (33.34)

78 122 200
Mechanised Boat (13.00) (20.33) (33.33)

102 98 200
Fibre Boat (17.00) (16.33) (33.33)

All 256 344 600

(42.67) (57.33) (100.00)

Source: Field Survey

Note : Figures in parentheses indicate the percentage to total

The total percentage of people who bought life insurance policy is 42.67

per cent. Out of which 76 respondents are from vallam craft workers, 78

respondents are from mechanised boat workers and 102 respondents are from fibre

boat workers group. A majority of the respondents (57.33 per cent) have not taken

any life insurance policy, which include 124 families are from vallam craft fishing

workers, 122 families from mechanised boat fishing workers and 98 families are

from fibre boat fishing workers.

226
4.14. Earning Members in the Family-wise distribution of the
Respondents

The number of earning members in the fishermen families vary from a

minimum of one to a maximum of three.

Table: 4.18 - Earning Members in the Family-wise distribution of the

Respondents
Earning Members
Craft Groups
1 2 3 Total

118 64 18 200
Vallam Craft (19.67) (10.67) (3.00) (33.34)
122 52 26 200
Mechanised Boat (20.33) (8.67) (4.33) (33.33)
102 66 32 200
Fibre Boat (17.00) (11.00) (5.33) (33.33)
All 342 182 76 600
(57.00) (30.33) (12.67) (100.00)
Source: Field Survey
Note : Figures in parentheses indicate the percentage to total

Table 4.18 elucidated that among 600 samples, 342 respondents families

(57%) are having one earning member each. 182 respondents families (30.33%)

are having two earning members each and 76 respondents families (12.67%) are

having three earning members per family.

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4.15. Dependency Ratio of the Respondent’s Family

The ratio between average earning member and the number of dependents

in a family is approximately 1:3. The dependency ratio in the study area differs

from various crafts.

Table: 4.19 - Dependency Ratio and Type of Crafts

Type of Crafts Number Mean

Vallam Craft 200 2.9092

Mechanised Boat 200 2.1315

Fibre Boat 200 2.3958

Total 600 2.5522

Source: Field Survey

The average dependency ratio is varied from a minimum of 1:2 in

mechanised boat fishing workers family and to a maximum of 1:3 in vallam craft

fishing workers family. On an average, the dependency ratio is 1:2.5 in the study

area.

4.16. Summary

The marine fisherfolk of the selected twelve coastal villages of

Thoothukudi district for the present research study are not better off in all aspects

of socio and economic life. Majority of the fishermen belong to the Christian

community, having a big family size, some of them are illiterates and few of them

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have studied only upto middle school level, and they are leading a nuclear type of

family. Most of the respondents have own houses with tiled roof.

The fishermen villages have poor drinking water facilities. Most of the

houses are devoid of sanitary facilities. Two-fifth of the respondents expressed

that the family planning is good. Majority of the sample respondents have medical

aid from private hospital. Some of the respondents don’t have any life insurance

policy.

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