A Comparative Study of Emotional Intelligence in Working Women and Homemakers from a Global Perspective

Abstract

The cultural narrative of “women having it all” about successfully balancing family and professional lives has sparked discourse on whether this is truly possible for women. This paper attempts to explore the Emotional Intelligence (EI) of women working as housewives and as employees. The objective of this paper is to map out the patterns in the household management, quality of life and social adjustments reflecting upon the cognitive, affective and behavioural skills by comparing housewives and working women on their emotional competency. This paper also aims to synthesize literature investigating the dimensions of Emotional Intelligence including self-regulation, resilience and emotional regulation in the two cross-sections of the women globally. The applicative value of the report may lie in the identification of appropriate strategies to facilitate women’s psychological well-being across their various roles at home and at work and in development of effective ways to maintain healthy interpersonal relationships with others.