Involvement in Decision Making Process: Role of Nonworking and Working Women

By : Priyaranjan Maral, Vipul Kumar

Page No: 73-82

Abstract
The present study aimed at investigating the decision making process among nonworking women and working women. And how much they take initiative in decision-making process regarding household and socio-economic issues? The sample consisted of two hundred seventy-two women (152 non-working women and 120 working women) is taken from the city of Allahabad. The mean age of the participants was 35.94 years (ranges from 22 to 65 years). Respondents were asked to fill the questionnaire on household’s decision-making process, financial decisionmaking and demographic characteristics. The results indicated that women perceive they took part in decision making in the area of daily expenses, personal expenses, saving, participation in social activities and health issues found to be higher in comparison to men. Regarding land/motor or other assets, child’s education and family disputes and settlements found that they do not take part. It was also perceived that working women jointly with their husband’s make more decisions regarding house-hold issues in comparison to non-working women. This study concludes that the status of women enhances their involvement in the decision-making on the basis of their working condition because through their employment they contribute for family income. There is a need to explore the cultural-context specific which influence the decision making process of women in the rural areas.

Authors :
Vipul Kumar and Priyaranjan Maral : Research Scholar, Department of Psychology, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, U.P. - 211002