Neoliberalism, Social Crises and the New Middle Classes in Pakistan: A Case of Internal Migrants from Rural Pakistan to Capital Islamabad

Abstract

The current work concerns a critical analysis of the recent tensions and conflicts
related to family, parenting practices, kids’ nurturing and regulation of family affairs in
the capital city of Pakistan. The current work concerns a critical analysis of the recent
tensions and conflicts related to family, parenting practices, kids’ nurturing and
regulation of family affairs in the capital city of Pakistan. With a qualitative
methodological approach, a small purposive sample (n=17) of new middle class
families whose’ rising income has led to an upward social mobility was interviewed.
The interview data was transcribed from the vernacular into English and utilized for
analysis with an interpretive approach. The new consolidated middle classes in
Pakistan are the product of neoliberal globalization, new economic opportunities in the
services sector, agribusinesses and remittances from abroad. Additionally, access to the
new social media, online shopping facilities, private schooling, and access to private
transportation have given birth to several social tensions and parenting practices. This
paper focused to explore some of the social tensions and conflicts that have emerged
due to breaking down of the traditional family systems and values, and a turbulent
transition towards new urban lifestyle and parenting practices.