Abstract
This paper argues for a rhetorical approach to understand how teachers (working mothers) construct silence (resistance or acceptance) in their multiple identities, when academic decisions are taken in meetings that directly affect them and their work. This cross-sectional case study examines arguments for and against a structural change made in an educational institution for girls in Karachi, where 80%of the population is female faculty. The objective is to present how certain constructions (arguments) are made real while others are undermined as a rhetorical achievement through persuasive talk. Rhetorical analysis was chosen to expose the link between identity construction and silence, through rhetorical strategies drawing on local and cultural discourses with language as a unit of analysis. Since rhetoric is a study of argumentation and persuasion; its application to organizational studies may help the researcher to emphasize over its political functions and understand the language in a critical perspective. Semi-structured interviews with 12 respondents, for an in-depth analysis turned out to be the most effective technique for collecting such data.
Highlights
1.1 Background of researchOlsen et al, (1995) advocates for the importance of teachers‘ perceived control regarding their career development, their high degrees of autonomy and the challenge they take from their work
In a male dominated society with a hierarchical family structure in Pakistan, where decision powers vary with age and headship, even among women (Alavi, 2003; Ferdoos, 2005); working mothers are often expected to be professional, a responsible wife, an active mother and above all, a qualifying and an obedient social figure in a society where usually high levels of women independence are indicative of their suspicious character and critical reputation
1) To examine the arguments for and against change justified through identity construction of working mothers
Summary
Olsen et al, (1995) advocates for the importance of teachers‘ perceived control regarding their career development, their high degrees of autonomy and the challenge they take from their work. In a male dominated society with a hierarchical family structure in Pakistan, where decision powers vary with age and headship, even among women (Alavi, 2003; Ferdoos, 2005); working mothers are often expected to be professional, a responsible wife, an active mother and above all, a qualifying and an obedient social figure in a society where usually high levels of women independence are indicative of their suspicious character and critical reputation They struggle to maintain this image by justifying their roles in one relationship, while asserting the same in another with a complete disregard of what they want for themselves or at least what should be appropriate for them
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