TY - JOUR
T1 - Autonomy as a psychological need
T2 - Perceptions of Pakistani mothers
AU - Stewart, Mahtani Sunita
AU - Zaman, Moazam Riffat
AU - Dar, Rabiya
PY - 2006/11
Y1 - 2006/11
N2 - In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 mothers of adolescents in Pakistan to explore the meaning of "autonomy" in this collective, highly gender-differentiated culture. Middle class mothers did not spontaneously mention autonomy as a basic human need; positive relationships were, however, readily emphasised. Nevertheless, on specific questioning, all mothers indicated that autonomy was a basic need for both sexes. Autonomy was seen as potentially threatening to important goals for both sexes. Female kin were frequently described as an important source of restriction on women's autonomy. In raising daughters, mothers discouraged autonomy, emphasising the central importance of marriage and the attendant requirement of adjustment to in-laws. Increasing autonomy was seen as part of the life cycle as women attained seniority within their married families. Autonomy was seen as an environmentally determined and life-staged related opportunity rather than a right. The study sheds light on a universally important psychological need and its manifestations in an understudied modernising collective group.
AB - In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 mothers of adolescents in Pakistan to explore the meaning of "autonomy" in this collective, highly gender-differentiated culture. Middle class mothers did not spontaneously mention autonomy as a basic human need; positive relationships were, however, readily emphasised. Nevertheless, on specific questioning, all mothers indicated that autonomy was a basic need for both sexes. Autonomy was seen as potentially threatening to important goals for both sexes. Female kin were frequently described as an important source of restriction on women's autonomy. In raising daughters, mothers discouraged autonomy, emphasising the central importance of marriage and the attendant requirement of adjustment to in-laws. Increasing autonomy was seen as part of the life cycle as women attained seniority within their married families. Autonomy was seen as an environmentally determined and life-staged related opportunity rather than a right. The study sheds light on a universally important psychological need and its manifestations in an understudied modernising collective group.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33845324125&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=33845324125&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/097133360601800205
DO - 10.1177/097133360601800205
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:33845324125
SN - 0971-3336
VL - 18
SP - 227
EP - 239
JO - Psychology and Developing Societies
JF - Psychology and Developing Societies
IS - 2
ER -