Changing roles of Afghan refugee women in the United States.

Abstract

Refugee women face many challenges, such as traumatic flight, loss of family members and property, and dramatic cultural differences in the country of resettlement. We examined the adjustment issues and role changes of Afghan women refugees in northern California. Afghans comprise the largest refugee population in the world, and continuing political turmoil prevents most Afghans in the United States from returning home. Data are presented from interviews with 32 Afghan women. These interviews were conducted as part of a larger ethnographic study that included participant observation and interviews with 90 Afghans and the American health and social service providers who worked with them. Although similar issues were expressed by most Afghan women, generation influenced the experience of such issues. The elderly suffer from social isolation and lack of respect; the middle generation shoulders the triple burden of housewife, employee, and mediator between children and spouse; and young and single women face culture conflict and the lack of appropriate mates.