Negotiating two worlds: An exploration of Moroccan Belgian youths’ lived experience of gender identity
This article explores the lived experiences of Muslim youth in Belgium regarding their gender identity. Based on a qualitative study with focus groups among Moroccan Belgian youths, we examine the usefulness of studying gender identity as a dynamic construct. Gender identity is not only shaped withi...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Ghent University
2021-10-01
|
| Series: | DiGeSt: Journal of Diversity and Gender Studies |
| Online Access: | https://www.digest.ugent.be/article/id/66164/ |
| _version_ | 1798002711388487680 |
|---|---|
| author | Hanne Dewinter |
| author_facet | Hanne Dewinter |
| author_sort | Hanne Dewinter |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article explores the lived experiences of Muslim youth in Belgium regarding their gender identity. Based on a qualitative study with focus groups among Moroccan Belgian youths, we examine the usefulness of studying gender identity as a dynamic construct. Gender identity is not only shaped within and through different contexts, the state of Moroccan Belgian youths negotiating between two worlds also highly complicates this construction. Gender acts as a mobilising force to legitimate borders and to differentiate from another ethnic or religious group that does not share the same practices or perceptions. Finally, processes of stereotyping, which are mainly gender-based, evoke a diversity of reactions among these youths. The aim of this article is to contribute to an understanding of the construction of gender identity as a continuous process that acquires meaning in relation to minority/majority relations in society. Directions for future research are suggested. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T11:56:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-57a98608f4ad4ca78abcdce13460cce4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2593-0281 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T11:56:29Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | Ghent University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | DiGeSt: Journal of Diversity and Gender Studies |
| spelling | doaj.art-57a98608f4ad4ca78abcdce13460cce42022-12-22T04:25:09ZengGhent UniversityDiGeSt: Journal of Diversity and Gender Studies2593-02812021-10-018210.21825/digest.v8i2.17368Negotiating two worlds: An exploration of Moroccan Belgian youths’ lived experience of gender identityHanne DewinterThis article explores the lived experiences of Muslim youth in Belgium regarding their gender identity. Based on a qualitative study with focus groups among Moroccan Belgian youths, we examine the usefulness of studying gender identity as a dynamic construct. Gender identity is not only shaped within and through different contexts, the state of Moroccan Belgian youths negotiating between two worlds also highly complicates this construction. Gender acts as a mobilising force to legitimate borders and to differentiate from another ethnic or religious group that does not share the same practices or perceptions. Finally, processes of stereotyping, which are mainly gender-based, evoke a diversity of reactions among these youths. The aim of this article is to contribute to an understanding of the construction of gender identity as a continuous process that acquires meaning in relation to minority/majority relations in society. Directions for future research are suggested.https://www.digest.ugent.be/article/id/66164/ |
| spellingShingle | Hanne Dewinter Negotiating two worlds: An exploration of Moroccan Belgian youths’ lived experience of gender identity DiGeSt: Journal of Diversity and Gender Studies |
| title | Negotiating two worlds: An exploration of Moroccan Belgian youths’ lived experience of gender identity |
| title_full | Negotiating two worlds: An exploration of Moroccan Belgian youths’ lived experience of gender identity |
| title_fullStr | Negotiating two worlds: An exploration of Moroccan Belgian youths’ lived experience of gender identity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Negotiating two worlds: An exploration of Moroccan Belgian youths’ lived experience of gender identity |
| title_short | Negotiating two worlds: An exploration of Moroccan Belgian youths’ lived experience of gender identity |
| title_sort | negotiating two worlds an exploration of moroccan belgian youths lived experience of gender identity |
| url | https://www.digest.ugent.be/article/id/66164/ |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hannedewinter negotiatingtwoworldsanexplorationofmoroccanbelgianyouthslivedexperienceofgenderidentity |