Gender Inequality, Subjective Well-Being, and Experiences of South Asian Immigrant Women in Europe and Northern America

Female immigrants from South Asia residing in Northern America and Europe encounter an unanticipated gender disparity that has the potential to affect their overall well-being. Despite being highly educated and having modern aspirations, these women often face challenges in their host societies, such as gender discrimination in the labor market, deskilling, cultural conflicts, and the decline in traditional support networks. These challenges contribute to a decline in their overall life satisfaction. South Asian immigrant women employ various resilience and coping strategies to navigate these challenges, such as relying on their social networks for support and engaging in cultural preservation activities. However, the pursuit of happiness for these women remains inextricably linked to the recognition and rectification of gender inequalities within the complex sociocultural frameworks of their host countries. Policymakers and practitioners can play a vital role in supporting South Asian immigrant women by developing policies and programs that promote gender equality in the workplace and provide support for immigrant women and their families. This chapter thus aims to explore the intersectionality of gender, migration, and subjective well-being, shedding light on the unique challenges faced by South Asian immigrant women in these regions.