Women's Role Expectations and Identity Development in India

TLDR: In the last few decades there has been a tremendous change in laws, attitudes, and norms affecting women's status, roles, and development in society in India as mentioned in this paper, and women have ventured beyond the traditional role of wife and mother and have sought employment and careers outside the home, and have actively participated in the economic and social development of the nation.

Abstract: Women's education, employment, and family roles and the interrelations between them have attracted increasing attention during the last few years. Feminists have dispelled long held notions about “women's place” and the accepted myths about their nature and function (Goldstien, 1972). Over the last few decades there has been a tremendous change in laws, attitudes, and norms affecting women's status, roles, and development in society in India. As a result of which women have ventured beyond the traditional role of wife and mother, and have sought employment and careers outside the home, and have actively participated in the economic and social development of the nation (Liddle & Joshi, 1986). There is a restructuring and reorientation of women's roles in contemporary society. However, not much empirical knowledge is available about these changes and the impact they have on women's behaviour, values, or attitudes and identities (Johnson, 1992). Rapid social changes in women's career and family roles are acc...