Two generations: Life stories and social change in Malaysia

Plurality and difference between women has been stressed in feminist resear ch. There has, however, not been as much attention to differences related t o age. Women's lives change during their lifetimes, but change also takes p lace from one generation to the next, especially during rapid modernisation Processes. New lifestyle may affect relationships between women of differe nt generations. Thus social change allocating higher status and more freedo m of action to one age group may affect the distribution of privileges and status among women. The article analyses social change in relation to the r apid industrialisation process taking place in Southeast Asia, in this case in Malaysia. A life story approach is used to study how ongoing change aff ects the lives of women and the relationships between women.