narratives of three generations of urban middle-class - eTheses ...

homemaking with your heart and love). Although she has compromised on ‘work’
outside for ‘work’ inside, she believes that professional work is integral to one’s selfindependent
identity especially in the context where conjugal spaces have become
more seconomically demanding than ever before and where a sense of independence
and respect comes from one’s financial independence. She says,
“This is the age of ‘competition’ and you have to be the best in your field to excel
in the job market. I may not be a working professional myself but I am able to
appreciate that material earnings of your own does give you a better bargaining
power within the family. It is sad but true that however much you might put your
labour at home, your work is ultimately recognized when you go out to work.
Since I have given my full dedication to bringing up my daughters by sacrificing
my job, as a mother I expect them to do well both academically and
professionally. It has always been a dream for myself (sadly contemplative).”
A common sight in urban Bengal is small groups of women clustered outside of schools
to give adda when they go to drop and pick up their children from school. Dalia labels
these groups of women as “housewives who have no work other than to fanatically
discuss about their children’s progress in school and criticize teachers for not doing their
work properly. They seem to want to fulfil all their unfulfilled dreams through their
children!”
Contrary to her accusation of these women’s ‘obsession’ with their children’s
performance, Mita, a second generation homemaker is critical of working mothers. She
says,
“Women who work outside home get so busy with their own professional life and
individual self that they often fail to be good mothers whose duty is to guide and
shape the future of their children.”
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