Career choices open to women a few decades ago were very limited and for most households only medicine and teaching were considered respectable career options.

The main reason behind this compulsion was that girls only till their early twenties were considered eligible for marriage.

Graduation was the ultimate degree for most females and few were allowed to study further, even if they were ambitious and intelligent enough to get good grades. The main reason behind this compulsion was that girls only till their early twenties were considered eligible for marriage. It was a common perception that a younger girl was easier to mold, in accordance with her husband’s wishes and earning the approval of one’s husband and in laws was considered the ultimate triumph for every girl. The level of awareness in girls was very low in those days and they accepted their fate with a complacency, which further strengthened this culture.

The degree of effort required for changing this mindset took a different amount of effort in each case

Fortunately, slowly but surely girls started thinking for themselves and made their parents realize that a good proposal was not their ultimate goal in life and they also wanted a career, which would justify the hard academic years, while giving them a sense of self- worth. The degree of effort required for changing this mindset took a different amount of effort in each case, depending upon the perspective of different families.

The prevalence of social taboos was stronger those days and the concept of joining certain industries like entertainment or advertising or even having a job which involved travel was considered inappropriate. Very unreasonably, certain jobs like being an airline stewardess, had a dubious reputation and people had a preconceived perception of a girl’s morality, choosing this profession.

There was resistance from orthodox families in varying degrees.

It is worth mentioning that the emergence of the internet age led to varied career options and even girls started venturing into new avenues. There was resistance from orthodox families in varying degrees, however with the increased level of awareness the inclination of girls for not submitting to this pressure also increased and hence we entered an age of career focused women.

The emergence of career focused females also brought to light the fact that women are more capable of multi- tasking than men, as they simultaneously handle a career and manage the household, besides performing the duties of a mother.

Women aspiring for a career still face resistance, however their level of professionalism and ability for meticulous execution has paved the way for their being considered as worthy competitors in a male dominated environment. Their aspiration for a career arises not only out of a need for financial independence but the need to put their education to productive use and to lead a meaningful life, with a sense of self-worth