Christian and Muslim Immigrant Women in the Canadian Maritimes

Abstract

This article details the strengths and vulnerabilities that Christian and Muslim immigrant women bring to situations of domestic violence in the Canadian Maritimes. An intersectional theoretical framework grounds the analysis of qualitative data collected from 89 Christian and Muslim women from 27 countries of origin who arrived in the region ten years prior to the field work. Their strengths include high levels of education, experiences of overcoming adversity, the ability to act strategically, and the use of social networks, while factors such as increased dependence on husbands, transnational family situations, responsibilities for family unity, and a lack of knowledge about local services are vulnerabilities. The findings show that Orthodox and Catholic Christians, Muslim women with young children, immigrant women employed full-time immediately upon arrival, and wives whose immigration is sponsored by their husbands lack access to important social support networks.

Dependencia emocional y autoestima como predictores de la violencia psicológica en emprendedoras

“…Otro aspecto del estudio indica que las puntuaciones altas de autoestima se correlacionan con menores puntuaciones de dependencia emocional. Estos resultados concuerdan con otros estudios, pues afirman que la dependencia emocional en mujeres tiene una asociación negativa con la autoestima (Henderson & Cunningham, 1993), este comportamientos de riesgo se debe a la dificultad de regular sus emociones (Weiss et al, 2018), responsabilidades con la unidad familiar (Holtmann, 2016), miedo al abuso y dependencia económica (McGrane et al, 2016). No obstante, algunos estudios indican que la relación entre baja autoestima y dependencia emocional en varones también es significativa, y que al tener una deficiencia percibida de amor violenta a su pareja (Kesner et al, 1997).…”

Afghan women perceptions of gender roles, possibilities and barriers to change after settlement in Australia: A qualitative study

“…Many participants criticised and blamed other Afghan women for perpetuating gender stereotypes and particularly noted how their mothers imposed gender roles on them and other female members of the family. Likewise, Holtmann (2016) found that Afghan mothers might feel responsible for maintaining their family’s reputation and integrity; one aspect of this was the expectation that they brought up Afghan daughters who would maintain family and community obligations. Also, in another Muslim majority country, Marshall and Furr (2010) found that Turkish mothers were expected to endure oppression and violence and therefore sacrifice themselves and teach their daughters to do the same for the sake of family integrity.…”

“…The process of acculturation might entail an opportunity for women to liberate themselves from conservative gender roles (Harris et al, 2005). Thus, some researchers investigating the transformation of gender roles found that migrant women were more likely than men to change as they moved away from stereotypes and traditional roles (DeBiaggi, 2002;Holtmann, 2016;Moghissi et al, 2009). For instance, Moghissi et al (2009) found women were more likely than men to change in a host country that offered women more freedom and autonomy.…”

“Beyond Cultural Sensitivity”: Service Providers’ Perspectives on Muslim Women Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence

“…A belief system that condemns violence and oppression, and reinforces justice and liberation from abuse can increase a woman's willingness to seek help and promote healing following IPV trauma. Conversely, belief systems that blame survivors, support abusers, and compromise the safety of women and children in the name of family cohesiveness create additional trauma, and inflict secondary wounds, the "secondary victimization" (Hassouneh-Phillips, 2003;Holtmann, 2016). Hassouneh-Phillips (2003) explored the role of spirituality in the lives of Muslim women IPV survivors.…”

“…Although diverse scholarly work focusing on the lived experiences of women survivors of IPV is crucial, it is also risky since it can be used to reinforce stereotypes held by members of the dominant group and further marginalize and isolate them (Holtmann, 2016;Sokoloff & Dupont, 2005). To decrease the risk for attribution of blame for IPV onto diverse cultures, researchers should reject the simplistic analysis of the role of culture in IPV.…”