A happy mother raises a happy child: insights from employed mothers in Bengali families in Kolkata
- Title
- A happy mother raises a happy child: insights from employed mothers in Bengali families in Kolkata
- Creator
- Bhaumik S.; Sahu S.
- Description
- The present study explores the complexities of motherhood in Bengali middle-class families, where mothers are traditionally viewed as primary caregivers. Despite societal shifts and increased female workforce participation, mothers still face pressure to prioritize intensive mothering. Through qualitative analysis, the research explores how employed mothers balance work and childcare responsibilities, shedding light on their agency and empowerment within patriarchal structures. Findings reveal a nuanced landscape where mothers navigate societal expectations while striving for autonomy. Support systems, changing socio-economic dynamics, and technological advancements contribute to reshaping maternal roles. Mothers, though not uniformly identifying as feminists, challenge traditional norms, embracing an egalitarian approach to mothering. The study underscores the resilience of mothers in negotiating patriarchal constraints, highlighting their capacity to foster empowerment for themselves and their children within familial and societal contexts. This qualitative study conducted in-depth interviews with 37 employed mothers representing diverse professions and roles. 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
- Source
- Journal of Family Studies
- Date
- 2025-01-01
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Subject
- empowered mothering; feminism; matricentric feminism; Patriarchy; qualitative study
- Coverage
- Bhaumik S., Department of Sociology & Social Work, Christ (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India; Sahu S., Department of Sociology & Social Work, Christ (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India
- Rights
- Restricted Access
- Relation
- ISSN: 13229400
- Format
- Online
- Language
- English
- Type
- Article
Collection
Citation
Bhaumik S.; Sahu S., “A happy mother raises a happy child: insights from employed mothers in Bengali families in Kolkata,” CHRIST (Deemed To Be University) Institutional Repository, accessed February 24, 2025, https://archives.christuniversity.in/items/show/12599.