Conventional understanding and perceptions might suggest that working women feel they are second-class citizens compared to their male counterparts. Interestingly, though, a combination of research that is both quantitative and qualitative in nature, suggests that such feelings are gradually losing relevance.

The year 2004 sees the Working Woman coming of age in terms of her self-proclaimed identity and, most importantly, as a woman in control of her life and destiny.

Women work and want to work to earn and be financially independent. And increasingly, the ability to do so gives her a chance to realise her own potential, exploit her talents and exercise her options in terms of how she will live her life. It gives her a way to actualise herself and gain self-esteem and confidence.

Working women seem to have accepted that their roles and identities need to be defined despite what men may or may not be doing. The working woman seems reconciled to the fact that men may or may not help her at home or to actualise her aspirations. And if it doesn't matter, it's because she will chase her goals nevertheless. Empowerment and opportunities, education and encouragement by family members, supportive husbands and in-laws make for a seamless transition to a status where she commands both respect and admiration. Her contribution to the household expenses only reinforces her newfound status and power. Most women in sec A and even sec B want to stretch themselves to become 'superwomen' at home and outside; complaints tend to be only centred around 'a lack of time'.

This 'lack of time' leads to guilt-not being able to devote as much time as they would like to social activities, friends, family and children-but curiously, as she manages her time more efficiently and creates an ambience where her work and stature is appreciated, the guilt gets reduced, and more and more working women appear less burdened by these. "My sons respect me and understand that sometimes I, just like their father, can't make it."

The Indian working woman also seems to have taken her role as a contributor to family finances with a sense of proportion and with a view to collective well-being. Young, unmarried women want to contribute to looking after older parents; they want to give back materially at least as much as they can afford. The daughter-in-law thinks of helping not just the household but also her in-laws. There is not much evidence that this creates confrontation or that working women acquire a hardness that quite often seems a characteristic of her Western counterpart. In her maturity and sensitivity, the Indian working woman would clearly be post-modern.

Another issue that would be obvious to most studying gender and women merits mention. Research done in the past had suggested that the way girls make for adults and face the world depends on their upbringing. This is equally true of men and applies equally to those who work and those who don't. However, it is worth noting that many women who wanted to work as a consequence of their education were strongly encouraged to do so by their parents, specially mothers. Many had working mothers who must have been role models they later emulated. This suggests that empowering females, educating them and enabling them is likely to make India a far more developed country than it is today.

While the Indian woman is increasingly proving her mettle as a productive member of the society, does this signal a life in solitary confinement? Not really. Her need to define her own identity stands out in relief against a need to achieve conjugal harmony and togetherness ideally through marriage, or as the ancients would have it, in the concept of a 'jodi'. Most single working women are still waiting for their 'dream man' and the final fantasy is that he will be rich and caring... keep her in style so that she does not need or have to work!

Due to this uncharacteristic paradox, you can expect the Indian working woman to be the hand that rocks the cradle, punches the keys on the DVD player she chose to buy, signs the cheque for the EMI on a home or car loan and opens the door to the office boardroom.

Aparna Sen is Director, Client Service, ACNielsen ORG-MARG