Evolving Gender Dynamics: Insights from Pakistani Professional Couples

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate the evolving gender roles of professional couples, examining the unequal division of labor, men’s attitudes toward changing gender roles, and societal reactions. Participants in the present study were recruited through purposive sampling, including, four women lecturers from the University of the Punjab Lahore New Campus and their spouses, three lecturers were recruited from Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, along with their husbands, and three lecturers from the University of Management and Technology Lahore, along with their husbands. All the couples had the same working hours, and were interviewed individually. Thematic analysis of participants' narratives revealed dual impacts of changing gender roles, both positive and negative. In addition, this paper also highlights the coping strategies employed by professional women such as balancing roles, finding financial independence empowering, stress-reducing tactics, and effective time management.  Changes in gender roles of professional couples benefit husbands more as they are supported both morally and financially by their spouses.  On the contrary, a professional woman faces tough times as she takes on multiple roles and contends with an unequal division of labor. This study has implications for balancing gender roles for sociologists and psychologists; these changing gender roles should foster freedom among professional couples in Pakistani society.