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

Foster’s argument of choice within the context of sustainable development, I contend
that within modernist, neoliberal regimes, “one has the choice but this choice is framed
through a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ that has already been somewhat determined” (2011: 146).
Foster argues that this modernist neo-liberal discourse of choice demonstrates
Foucault’s govermentality and biopower (2011: 146). The stress on an ‘authentic’ self
and its focus on making and validating the ‘right’ choice are aspects of neo-liberal
modernity that are reflected in Priya’s narrative. A surface reading of Priya’s
interpretation of contemporary ‘liberal’, ‘open’ times that allow for exercizing more
‘choice’ and ‘flexibility’ than past generations, seem to confirm the arguments of the
theories of reflexive modernization. However, further readings of her parameters of
choice-making and its validation will interrogate these theories of ‘individualization’ and
‘detraditionalization’ by illustrating that concepts of agency and choice are heavily
mediated by gendered subjectivities, family relations, class locations, power relations
and shared symbolic tradition (Smart, 2007; Gross, 2005; Jamieson, 1989). Moreover,
Shanta’s narrative of more choice confirms but also critiques Giddens’ optimistic
interpretation of the ‘transformation of intimacy’ and its necessary ‘reflexive’ character
(1992). Further readings will tell us if Giddens’ ‘transformation of intimacy’ is indeed a
transformation of the ideals and practices of intimacy.
Budgeon’s argument that “the capacity for acting autonomously is linked to moral
autonomy” and becomes meaningful only when situated within specific socio-cultural
contexts and sets of social relations (2011: 136), is useful in this context. The Western
hegemonic discourse of agency and choice that influenced Priya’s narrative,
problematically privileges not only a Eurocentric perspective of modernity (Majumdar,
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