نجیبہ عارف کے افسانوں میں ملازمت پیشہ عورت کے سماجی و نفسیاتی مسائل کی عکاسی

Representation of Socio-Psychological Issues of Working Women in the Short Stories of Najeeba Arif

Abstract

This study examines the socio-psychological issues faced by working women in the short stories of Najeeba Arif. It explores how Arif portrays the complex realities of women who struggle to balance their professional responsibilities with domestic roles within a patriarchal social framework. The analysis highlights that working women in her fiction are often subjected to multiple pressures, including familial expectations, workplace discrimination, and emotional strain. The study further investigates the psychological dimensions of these experiences, particularly the feelings of guilt, inadequacy, and emotional exhaustion that arise from the inability to fully satisfy both professional and personal demands. Arif’s narratives reveal that despite education and economic participation, women continue to face subtle forms of marginalization, often reinforced through social attitudes and interpersonal relationships. By focusing on thematic and textual analysis, this paper argues that Arif’s short stories present a nuanced depiction of the inner conflicts and external challenges encountered by working women. The concept of “soft patriarchy” is also evident, where indirect pressures and societal norms shape women’s identities and limit their autonomy. Ultimately, the study concludes that Najeeba Arif effectively highlights the ongoing struggle of working women to negotiate their identities and achieve a sense of balance in a socially constrained environment.