Gendered Barriers: How Patriarchal Norms Shape Married Women's Employment in Sukkur City

Abstract

Women’s participation is essential for national development. However, marriage often influences women’s employment, leading to job discontinuity due to familial, cultural, and structural barriers. This study examines the impact of marriage on women’s employment in Sukkur City, Pakistan, focusing on challenges and causes of career interruptions. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 215 employed women via questionnaires to analyse the effects of gender expectations and constraints. The findings reveal that marriage significantly affects workforce participation, with many facing discontinuation due to household responsibilities, societal pressures, and a lack of spousal or familial support. A key factor is socially constructed gender roles, which create significant barriers for women in balancing domestic duties and professional aspirations. The research aims to reframe job discontinuity as a structural issue of systemic gender inequality rather than individual choice. The study reveals that men predominantly control household decision-making, underscoring entrenched patriarchal norms. Furthermore, pervasive gender discrimination emerges as a critical factor forcing women to leave their jobs. Patriarchal societal structures create substantial barriers for married women. The findings highlight how deep-rooted gender roles and cultural expectations shape women’s employment experiences, leading to job discontinuation through unequal power dynamics and workplace biases.

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