Gendered Discourse of Pakistani Parents Regarding Professional Choices for their Children

Abstract

Language plays a vital role in a person's identity construction. This research paper discusses how gender affects language and how responses vary from person to person while addressing the same issues. By drawing upon Cameron's Dominance Model, this research is aimed to present an analysis of variations in responses between male and female participants. It analyses how discourse differs when a group of female participants and a group of male participants talk on similar topics. This study is based on focused group interviews with a group of each gender on parental perceptions about the career of their children. Each group consists of 6-8 participants. Thematic analysis is used as an analytic technique to discover differences between male and female groups while sharing their perceptions. The paper found that gender discourse is shaped by socially dominated gendered norms which consequentially affect children’s careers choice. This research implies that females’ career options are based on the traditional conceptualization of career opportunities which don’t empower them. They also face unequal opportunities to express their opinions or use their voice in daily life decisions and conversations freely.