Contributions despite challenges: Exploring positive youth development among Muslim American youth

20201218

“…In fact, a study conducted by indicated that 75% of Muslim participants wanted to educate others about Islam and Muslims in general. Additionally, according to a 2004 Zogby poll, 82% of American Muslims are registered to vote, which reflects their willingness to assert their political rights, have their voices heard and participate in processes related to community engagement through social action (Sirin & Fine, 2010;Sirin et al, 2012). In addition, several studies have shown that increased affiliation with a religious aspect of identity can increase motivation to engage in the social and cultural affairs of one's community (Sirin et al, 2012).…”

“…In examining healthy identity development, research has not investigated the factors that promote American Muslim collective self-esteem, and what, if any, are the benefits of this high collective selfesteem. For instance, though the concept of "hyphenated selves" was derived through mixed-methods research, no quantitative study has examined the correlates of American Muslim identity (Sirin et al, 2012). For the purposes of this quantitative study, American Muslim collective self-esteem will be used to assess identity, whereby identifying positively with both dimensions of identity will be reflected in higher overall collective self-esteem.…”

“…In one sense, as Americans, American Muslims face the same threat and fear of attack by extremist Muslim groups as do their non-Muslim counterparts. However, on the other hand, as Muslims, they may be perceived as part of a homogenous group which poses a potential threat to the country they call home and in fact, have experienced both overt and covert oppression through detention, deportation, and spying by security and police forces in the last decade in particular (Sirin & Fine, 2010;Sirin et al, 2012). Reconciling these two aspects of identity remains a challenge, especially as this dichotomy between the two aspects of AmericanMuslim identity is reinforced in situations where threats to security arise (Sirin & Fine, 2010;Sirin et al, 2012).…”

“…However, on the other hand, as Muslims, they may be perceived as part of a homogenous group which poses a potential threat to the country they call home and in fact, have experienced both overt and covert oppression through detention, deportation, and spying by security and police forces in the last decade in particular (Sirin & Fine, 2010;Sirin et al, 2012). Reconciling these two aspects of identity remains a challenge, especially as this dichotomy between the two aspects of AmericanMuslim identity is reinforced in situations where threats to security arise (Sirin & Fine, 2010;Sirin et al, 2012). Belonging to a religious minority, American Muslims exhibit a greater need to understand and evaluate American Muslim religious beliefs and values in the face of alternatives (Ahmad, 2009); despite the importance of understanding healthy identity development, little research has examined what factors influence healthy identity development in one of the fastest growing segments of the US population.…”

“…Research on American Muslim youth suggests that the process of "hyphenating selves" describes the struggle to join identities (e.g., Muslim and American) separated by history, sociopolitical forces, and geography . In turn, the development of hyphenated selves (i.e., integrated or parallel identity; ) is associated with a host of positive mental health outcomes, including sense of purpose and motivation to volunteer and contribute to the greater good (Sirin, Abo-Zena, & Shehadeh, 2012).…”