UPSC Mains 2024 GS1 Q19 — Globalization and Society
Globalization has increased urban migration by skilled, young, unmarried women from various classes. How has this trend impacted upon their personal freedom and relationship with family? (Answer in 250 words) 15
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- How has
- Scope keywords
- Globalizationurban migrationskilled, young, unmarried womenvarious classespersonal freedomrelationship with family
- Implicit sub-parts
- The causal link between globalization-driven service sector growth and the specific demographic shift of young unmarried women.
- The paradox of 'Negotiated Autonomy'—how financial independence coexists with traditional surveillance.
- Shift in family power dynamics from hierarchy-based to contribution-based authority.
- Impact of class differences (e.g., tech professionals vs. retail/service staff) on the degree of freedom attained.
- Common pitfalls
- Focusing too much on the 'causes' of migration rather than the 'impacts' requested by the question.
- Treating 'various classes' as a monolith; failing to distinguish between the freedom of a corporate CEO vs. a call-center worker.
- Ignoring the 'unmarried' status, which is central to the question's focus on matrimonial choice and parental control.
- Presenting a purely positive view of freedom while ignoring new forms of urban vulnerability or 'pink-collar' exploitation.
- Dimensions required
- Sociological (changing family structures)Economic (financial agency and consumerism)Psychological (identity and self-actualization)Spatial (the city as a site of liberation vs. risk)
- Marks allocation hint
Devote approximately 50 words to the globalization-migration link, 100 words to the nuances of personal freedom (mobility, choice, financial agency), and 100 words to evolving family dynamics (remittances vs. remote surveillance). Ensure class-based distinctions are woven throughout rather than added as an afterthought.
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