Portrayal of Women in Media and Women's Career Choices
The portrayal of women in contemporary Indian media plays a crucial role in shaping their career paths and societal expectations. Representation matters; when young women see others in non-traditional roles, they are more likely to aspire to follow their ambitions. Historically, Indian media, particularly daily soaps, has depicted the ideal woman as a homemaker. However, there is a noticeable shift as working women are increasingly represented on television. A new trend on platforms like Instagram features tradwives, who advocate for homemaking as a valid choice. Yet, in the Indian context, where societal pressures often suppress women’s desires to join the formal workforce, this can hardly be deemed a true choice. The transition from homemaker to professional is fraught with challenges, particularly in male-dominated fields where stereotypes persist—expecting men to be doctors while women take on nurturing roles like nursing. ...