Beyond Family: How Support Networks Shape Urban Women's Work Participation

Despite educational and economic advancements, female labour force participation in India remains notably low, particularly among urban women with young children. This study investigates the complex relationship between support networks and labour force participation among urban women, focusing on young mothers in Delhi-NCR, India. Drawing on mixed-methods research that includes survey data from 193 women and 30 in-depth interviews, this study examines how different components of support—density, source, type, and intensity—affect a woman’s ability to engage in paid work.

The results indicate that women with denser support networks have nearly four times greater odds of participating in the labour force, especially when receiving consistent childcare support. The intensity of the support is crucial: women who benefit from high-intensity housework support from domestic workers or high-intensity childcare support from mothers-in-law have significantly higher odds of being employed. In joint families, the presence of extended family members facilitates labour participation, while in nuclear families, external support systems, such as domestic workers and childcare services, play a critical role.

The qualitative data reveal that while support networks are essential for enabling women to balance work and family, they are often gendered, with men contributing minimally to housework and childcare, except when directly asked. This uneven distribution of responsibilities constrains women’s ability to engage in paid work. Furthermore, gaps in formal support systems, including a lack of affordable and reliable childcare, act as significant barriers to workforce participation. This research highlights the need for policies that promote equitable household responsibilities and the expansion of affordable childcare services to support women's participation in the workforce, ultimately fostering more inclusive economic growth in India.