Hyphenated Selves: Muslim American Youth Negotiating Identities on the Fault Lines of Global Conflict

20201218

“…While Muslims residing in the West represent an extremely diverse range of people, there are some common threads running through their experiences. Muslims in the West have been described as living on the 'crossroads of global conflict' (Sirin & Fine, 2007). In addition to the common difficulties associated with cultural transition, such as language barriers, financial struggles and social isolation, two particularly salient acculturative challenges currently facing Muslims include religious discrimination and barriers to practicing their religion as a consequence of Islamophobia (Sheridan, 2006).…”

“…They are projected to be the largest religious minority subgroup in the U.S. within the next decade (Kobeisy, 2004;Kosmin, Mayer, & Keysar, 2001), underscoring the need to better understand the developmental challenges they face. In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, identity has become particularly complicated to navigate for American Muslims because of the struggle to integrate their dual identities as both American and Muslim (Sirin & Fine, 2010). 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.…”

“…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).…”

“…The developmental stage of emerging adulthood is characterized by rapid and extensive physical and psychosocial changes, often accompanied by developmental crises that challenge emerging adults' coping abilities. In the present study, we use the term "youth" to refer to emerging adults between the ages of 18 to 25, in keeping with previous research (Sirin & Fine, 2007).…”

“…This is a developmental challenge identified for many American Muslim youth who are growing up in an important historical moment during which they may struggle to integrate or allow their identities as both American and Muslim to coexist in nonconflicting ways (Sirin & Fine, 2010). For instance, though their religious identity may be important, Ameri-can Muslim youth can also face greater discrimination and isolation from American culture because of their religious affiliation (Ahmed, 2009).…”