Women and work in India: (Re)engaging *class, careers, and occupations in a globalizing economy
Abstract
This study investigates work lives and careers of Indian women within a historical context. This context is seen as being influenced symbiotically by India's cultural and traditional realities as well as the contemporary phenomenon of globalization. Using feminist standpoint theory as its theoretical lens, the study explored how women (de)(co)(re)construct and develop knowledges about their worlds of work as embedded within and influenced by the intersections of class, caste, society, socialization, and individual agency. Meaning(s) women associate with their work as well as Indian women's definition of a career in 21st century globalizing India are other important areas of exploration. ^ Feminist face-to-face interviewing was conducted either in English and/or Marathi in the western city of Pune in the state of Maharashtra, India, with 77 women across caste, class, income, occupation, and generational categories. Accumulated data were analyzed and interpreted using qualitative software NVivo and manually. Findings from the study indicate that social practices such as caste-based quota-reservation system in higher education and employment continue to color women's work worlds. Women understand that Indian society discriminates, as well as accepts working women depending on the spatial and temporal distinctions of societal members, and have developed strategies to negotiate this contradictory public space. Parental influences through direct and indirect communication and role modeling; as well as the support and encouragement of extended family members such as in-laws, significantly affected how women came to understand and process information regarding work values, career options, and post organizational entry workplace behaviors. Women show considerable agency in pursuing their own education, pursuing career interests, and in furthering advancement opportunities. Women also believe in having careers in communion, and display a strong sense of responsibility toward their familial roles, responsibilities, and obligations.^ The findings of this study contribute to the literature on vocational anticipatory socialization, career studies and communication, meanings of work, and feminist standpoint theory. This study contributes to an emerging internationalization agenda within organizational communication. Finally, the study also answers several recent calls (e.g. Broadfoot & Munshi, 2007; Cheney, 2000; Thomas & Inkson, 2007; Zoller, 2006) simultaneously, while addressing the accusations of individualism and parochialism levied on organizational communication and career studies.^
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Patrice M. Buzzanell, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Women's Studies|Speech Communication|Sociology, Social Structure and Development
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