Women's Midlife as Gendered Development: The Lived Experiences of Selected Filipino Women in Midlife

Abstract

This study is a portrayal of women's midlife experiences, cognizant of their gendered nature. To address theoretical gaps in understanding women in midlife development, this study is
premised on postmodern constructionism, thereby attempting to depart from the dominant male-centric theorizing and bring out a ground-level understanding of how women in midlife experience this particular stage given their multiple roles and emergent self-identities at this juncture. Focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted among three groups of women between the age range of 42–65, and five women from these groups were selected for in-depth interviews using the narrative identity approach. This study examined how women's midlife is characterized through two categories, namely (a) occupational roles and (b) affiliative roles. The major themes that emerged from the women participants in occupational roles include (a) peak of career status characterized by mastery, competence, and confidence; (b) head/leader position; (c) skillful functioning in multiple roles within the occupational role; (d) pride and fulfillment in work; and (e) crisis in career leading to stock-taking and/or change. Related to their affiliative roles, the themes culled were (a) being relieved from a domestic role, (b) extending functions beyond the domestic, and (c) catching up on what was missed. Other themes emerged at the intersection of both work roles and affiliative roles, which include (a) how the mothering role continues in varied forms and (b) changes and shifts. The identities of women participants were summarily described by the themes (a) self-expansion in multiplicity and complexity and (b) changes and transition.