Financial Management among Women in Telangana: Pre- and Post-Marital Challenges and Solutions – A Comparative Study

Abstract

This study examines the financial difficulties encountered by women in Telangana post-marriage, influenced by cultural, social, and economic factors. The study emphasizes various critical factors influencing women's financial independence and stability. Restricted financial autonomy, influenced by conventional gender roles, frequently compels women to depend on their husbands or in-laws for financial decision-making. Notwithstanding legal inheritance entitlements, societal conventions inhibit numerous women from asserting property or wealth claims.

Marriage often interrupts career continuity, as women may exit the workforce or transition to lower-paying positions due to familial responsibilities, insufficient childcare, and societal norms. Financial literacy is notably deficient among women, especially in rural regions, constraining their capacity to manage personal finances and participate in investment planning. Access to financial resources, such as loans or credit, is frequently limited due to insufficient collateral or the requirement for a male guarantor. Ongoing gender wage disparities, dowry customs, and elevated healthcare and childcare expenses intensify women's financial precariousness.

This study advocates for enhancing financial literacy programs, promoting gender equality in the workforce, and improving access to financial resources as essential measures for empowering women in Telangana. The findings highlight the necessity for systemic reforms to tackle the entrenched cultural and societal obstacles that restrict women's financial autonomy and security following marriage.