Gender relations in Canadian multicultural families

Abstract

This article is a secondary analysis of the data gathered from 12 focus groups which were set up in 2006 with 64 members of three communities (Somali, Chinese and Lebanese origins). Its aim is to explore the barriers to social integration encountered by young women from those communities, given that Bruns (2011) points out the need for more research into issues relating to young women. For each community, four focus groups were conducted, represented by four subgroups: young women, young men, adult women and men. Their verbatim comments were subjected to content analysis in terms of gender role socialisation. Regardless of cultural background, the young women objected to the pressure exerted on them to carry out gender-based roles and duties. They all faced barriers to their social integration and clearly recognized that a double standard exists: young men have more freedom and parents are generally stricter with their daughters. This cross-cultural observation leads us to reflect upon social work as it relates to young women and calls for meaningful intergenerational dialogue.