Young Australian Women's Aspirations for Work, Marriage and Family

Abstract

Multiple roles remain a reality for women. While there is debate over whether this arises from personal aspirations or social arrangements, it is clear that it results in stress and reductions in emotional well-being. We asked 13 female Australian university students about their aspirations for age 35, with reference to relationships, motherhood and work, and conducted a thematic analysis. Most aspired to traditional roles as wives, mothers and part-time workers, despite simultaneously wanting postgraduate professional education. They expected husbands in professional careers who would meet the family's financial needs. Strong implicit assumptions regarding gender and social class were identified. The analysis raises the question of young men's aspirations and their match with women's.