“A woman’s honor tumbles down on all of us in the family, but a man’s honor is only his”: young women’s experiences of patriarchal chastity norms

Monica Christianson,Åsa Teiler,Carola Eriksson

doi:10.1080/17482631.2020.1862480

Monica Christianson, Åsa Teiler + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2020.1862480

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose: In this qualitative study we explored how young women living in Sweden with ethnic and cultural roots in the Middle East and East Africa comply with or resist so-called honour norms and how they perceive that these norms affect their living conditions. Method: In depth interviews were performed with 14 young women. The majority were between 21 and 32 years of age with a mean age of 24. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and a grounded theory approach was used. To reflect the diversity in women’s experiences, the grounded theory approach was conducted from a feminist perspective to transform women’s personal narratives to a larger social context. Results: We analysed the core category “Honorable women in becoming” as the central emerging phenomenon related to categories about structural and individual control of women, the women’s adjustment and resistance, and the continuum of severe consequences and violence that they experienced in their struggle for autonomy. Conclusion: Simone de Beauvoir’s feminist theory about women as “the other” was an inspiration and gave us valuable input to highlight women’s experiences and situations from a perspective of gender, power, and oppression.

Highlights

In many collective patrilineal societies, the norms and ideals surrounding women’s appearances, behaviours, and life choices are strongly associated with the entire family’s morals and honour (Cihangir, 2012; Cooney, 2014; King, 2008; Leung & Cohen, 2011)
In this qualitative study we explored how young women living in Sweden with ethnic and cultural roots in the Middle East and East Africa comply with or resist so-called honour norms and how they perceive that these norms affect their living conditions
This study explored how young women living in Sweden with ethnic and cul tural roots in Middle East and East Africa comply with or resist patriarchal chastity norms and control and how they perceive that these norms affect their lives

Summary

Introduction

In many collective patrilineal societies, the norms and ideals surrounding women’s appearances, behaviours, and life choices are strongly associated with the entire family’s morals and honour (Cihangir, 2012; Cooney, 2014; King, 2008; Leung & Cohen, 2011). Interviews with young women from racially/ethnically minoritized communities in Sweden indicate that negative reputation brings shame both to the young women and their families (Cinthio, 2015). In this empirical interview study, we have examined the exis tence and experience of honour norms among young women living in Sweden from ethnically and cultu rally diverse backgrounds. The “masculine” honour code can be considered to benefit men because it leaves room for men to behave autonomously having the freedom to do what they want (Cihangir, 2012), and, at the same time, take power away from women

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