Abstract
The present study explores factors that contribute to the making of career and study choices of female students enrolled in postgraduate programmes in Pakistan. This study collected data from students enrolled in Masters and MPhil programmes using a focus group discussion data collection strategy. The focus of data analysis was to unearth reasons given by the participants of their career choices and discover factors that influenced their career choice. The focus group discussions revealed that family and female representation in textbooks were the main reasons for their choices. Female role models that could inspire them to select a particular profession were missing in the textbooks. To address this gap and omission and to help female students in making better study and career choices, this study suggests that the textbook regime in Pakistan should make more space for female-centered content and present to pupils the life stories of successful women in different fields.
Highlights
It is a well-documented fact that Pakistani society is a male-dominated society, where men are given more importance than women in all spheres of life, be it social, cultural, religious, and political
This study suggests that the textbook regime in Pakistan should be made aware of the fact that the lack of female role models working in different fields in textbooks, is affecting the career and academic choices for women intending to continue their study at the postgraduate level
The presence of these role models will help the patriarchy to see successful women contributing to keeping the family together and its socio-economic development
Summary
It is a well-documented fact that Pakistani society is a male-dominated society, where men are given more importance than women in all spheres of life, be it social, cultural, religious, and political. The document continues to state that the State will ensure that the principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance and social justice, as enunciated by Islam, shall be fully observed”; the State will create an environment to enable Muslims to “order their lives in the individual and collective spheres in accordance with the teachings and requirements of Islam as set out in the Holy Quran and Sunnah” The Preamble of this document shows that the State is aware of the existence of non-Muslims in Pakistan, and the constitution framers would like to protect them They suggested that “adequate provision shall be made for the minorities freely to profess and practice their religions and develop their cultures” The most recent education policy, approved and adopted by the Government of Pakistan in 2009, presented the following objectives of the education conceived and implemented in Pakistan
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