Does distance matter? A study of married Indian women professionals staying away from families to pursue higher studies^*

* We sincerely acknowledge the valuable inputs given by Prof Abhishek on the earlier versions of this paper. His ideas were extremely helpful in giving proper shape to the paper.

Abstract

‘Return to school’ for enhancement of career is considered a means to career mobility. However, if ‘return to school’ is chosen after a certain stage it has its own costs and challenges. It becomes more complex, especially for women, if geographical distance from family becomes an additional variable to it. Present study, grounded in Indian context, examines married Indian women professionals, who opted for geographical separation from their families (including, in some cases, infants and small children) to pursue higher studies. The study explores what spurs well-qualified married women professionals to take a career break and join a rigorous educational programme which requires them to stay away from their families for a substantial time. Key themes that emerged from the study can be categorised as motives: dissatisfaction with work situation, need for skill enhancement, and an urge to develop one’s own identity; facilitators: support and encouragement from spouse and other family members and age; challenges faced: psychological turmoil, strain on relationships, and financial stress.

Keywords:

• Married women professionals
• geographical separation from family
• higher education
• Indian context

Notes

* We sincerely acknowledge the valuable inputs given by Prof Abhishek on the earlier versions of this paper. His ideas were extremely helpful in giving proper shape to the paper.