A Sociological Study of the Characteristics and Challenges of Rural and Urban Motherhood in India

India is a fast developing economy with predominantly rural population. On one side 68.8 pc of its population is rural in nature while rapid modernisation and industrialisation lead to its urbanisation. The efforts for women-empowerment and equality of sex has increased the number of working women. They have proved their professional skills and expertise in various fields. Apart from professional acumen, motherhood is the natural quality of a woman. The responsibility of motherhood and nurturing children is defined differently in rural and environment.

Rural area women witness the nurturing of a child as their primary responsibility along with household jobs, while a different status is observed in urban areas where women face the challenge of creating balance between their profession and motherhood. The birth and responsibility of nurturing a child has emerged as a barrier in successful persuasion of career. The problem may vary with field and status but problem relating to maintenance of balance and paying attention to child is same. There are several factors as barriers and assisting the motherhood in different areas. The correct parenting involving the education and development of a child is affecting the decision making process and future of a woman.

The government has also realised the problem and taken measures to improve the share of rural parenting women in different fields and at the same time facilitating urban mothers for carrying out their responsibility towards their children.

This research paper is a sociological study aimed at pointing out the difference in rural and urban pattern of motherhood, its execution as a right, responsibility or burden and its affect on the professional life of a woman.