Thisstudy explores from a phenomenological stand point, the lived experiences of thirty Indian
women and struggle to pursue higher education post marriage. It encompasses the life-worlds of
two distinct generations—women who had achieved higher education post-marriage, at least 20
years ago (pre-1994); and married women who are currently enrolled with a university. Using the
life course perspectives’ concept of time and social ecology, the experiences of these women have
been analysed thematically to understand the changing patterns in these women’s perception of a)
self which includes identification with oneself, individual behaviour, motivational level, multiple
roles management, concept of space and boundary and self-assertion; and b) environment which
encompasses their interaction with the social environment, the available support systems and
dynamics associated with it.