Women and Technology
Dr. Paulomi Saha
Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Muzaffar Ahmed Mahavidyalaya, Salar, Murshidabad,
West Bengal,
Received: 18 November 2025; Accepted: 27 November 2025; Published: 03 December 2025
ABSTRACT
This paper explores the relationship between women and technology in the context of modern Indian society,
focusing on decision-making patterns within households. With rapid technological development, electronic
gadgets such as washing machines, microwaves, refrigerators, and computers have become integral part of daily
life. The research investigates whether women, particularly in middle-class families, fully benefit from these
advancements. Using a sample of 30 respondents from Kalyani Township, Respondents were categorized into
high, medium, and low groups based on gadget ownership. Findings indicate that decision-making is
increasingly shared between husbands and wives, challenging the traditional view of male-dominated authority.
Working women rely more on modern gadgets due to time constraints, yet their opinions often carry similar
weight as non-working women. Younger women prioritize gadgets more than older women, reflecting
generational shifts. Interestingly, many women still prefer entertainment devices over labour-saving appliances,
suggesting that artificial needs often outweigh practical household considerations. The study concludes that
despite the widespread availability of technology, women’s access to its full benefits remains limited, influenced
by income level, education, and persistent gender roles. Greater empowerment and awareness can enhance
women’s use of technology for reducing household burdens.
Keywords: Women, Technology, Electronic Gadgets, Urban Lifestyle, Empowerment, Household Labour
Reduction, Decision making.
INTRODUCTION
We are now passing through the twenty first century. Modern technology is so much developed all over the
world. Even in India, which is a developing country technology spreads out at a fast speed. Electronic gadgets
are available at a reasonable price. Different types of gadgets like microwave oven, mixer grinder, television,
gas oven, washing machine, vacuum cleaner, refrigerator, and computer are very useful in our everyday life. In
modern days women are becoming tech-savvy. In this paper the inter-relationship between women and
technology are discussed.
In an ordinary middle-class family generally, the male member takes the decision. He plays the decision maker
role. The role of female members is submissive. They generally obey the male member’s decision. So, people
usually buy a television first than microwave oven. Or they buy a computer before buying a mixer grinder. Need
is the main thing. Without need people never do any works. There are two types of needs, Basic need and
Artificial need. Hunger, thrust etc. are the basic needs. Need for entertainment etc. are the artificial needs. This
is a common trend. If a family buy a washing machine, then labour of the women who serve the family can be
saved. In many cases the women themselves are reluctant to buy those goods, they are more eager to buy a
television. So artificial needs predominate here. Even in a family the opinion of the male member predominates
than the female member. He thinks that a computer is more essential than a microwave cooking range. Because
without it the cooking is possible.
The working women are more dependable on technical gadgets. Due to shortage of time they prefer using modern
gadgets. The kitchens are also now-a-days modular. The concept of traditional kitchen is becoming obsolete.
So, a question emerges that though technology is more advanced today do women fully get the advantages of it?
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