Abstract

Self Help groups played a vital role in transforming rural families, especially women. The training offered to the members build a positive attitude towards life and goals in life and it will be reflected as involvement, financial growth and skill development. This study was conducted in Chickballapur in Karnataka and a 29 self help groups participated in the survey. Sample size is 448 and the data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Discriminant model is used in this research to analyse the effect of education and monthly income on factors that justify the joining in SHGs. The factors generally considered for homogeneity in group are income and education. The factors that justify the joining for SHG include, opportunity to learn, recognition in society and family, personal and family welfare and decision making skills. The results showed that the response support the joining of SHG as a correct decision and there is a significant variation in justification with income, education and reasons for joining SHGs.

Key words: Self-Help groups, Discriminant Analysis, monthly income, education, rural women