The role of Mother–Daughter Relationships in Shaping Femininity Among Indian Immigrant Women

Indian immigrant women navigate gender at the intersections of multiple cultures and through people in their family and community, especially mothers. Despite growing research about South Asian immigrant communities in the US, there remains a significant gap in the literature regarding the role mother–daughter relationships play in coshaping Indian immigrant women's ideas about femininity. Using narratives of nine mother–daughter dyads, this paper examines the intergenerational processes through which Indian immigrant mothers and daughters shape each other's understanding and performances of femininity. Participants’ dyadic narratives were analyzed using thematic narrative analysis. Two overarching themes were identified to illustrate the processes of interest: (a) mutual empowered consciousness and (b) the carrying on of cultural values and traditions. This intergenerational investigation of femininity documents the bidirectional and positive role of mother–daughter relationships in the continuous negotiation of feminine identity among Indian immigrant women in the US. This study's findings carry implications that can inform psychotherapy and relationship-building activities among Indian diaspora families.