Keywords : Work–Family Balance, Women Professionals, Career Decisions, Gender Roles, India

Abstract : The increasing participation of women in professional and managerial occupations in India represents a significant socio-economic transformation. However, women continue to remain underrepresented in senior leadership and decision-making roles. A major contributing factor to this disparity is the persistent challenge of balancing professional responsibilities with family obligations. This paper presents an overall review of selected studies examining work–family challenges and their influence on the career decisions of women professionals in India. The review is based on five key scholarly works that analyze work–family balance, role conflict, organizational support, and socio-cultural influences. The findings indicate that traditional gender roles, disproportionate family responsibilities, organizational constraints, and inadequate support mechanisms significantly shape women’s career choices. The study emphasizes the need for flexible work arrangements, childcare support, and gender-sensitive organizational policies to promote sustainable career development among women professionals in India.

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