Sexual Self-Concept through a Cross-Cultural Lens: Qualitative Case Studies of Iranian-American Women

Title
Sexual Self-Concept through a Cross-Cultural Lens: Qualitative Case Studies of Iranian-American Women
Publication Date
2015
Author(s)
Rashidian, Mitra
Minichiello, Victor
Hussain, Rafat
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Society for Science and Education
Place of publication
United Kingdom
DOI
10.14738/assrj.210.1539
UNE publication id
une:20967
Abstract
Recently scholars have examined more closely the topic of female sexual self-concept as an aspect of sexual well-being. Few studies have focused on migrated women's life experiences cross-culturally, and how that informs a woman's view of herself as a sexual being. This is particularly true about most middle-eastern cultures, including Iranian-American women. Four case studies draw on qualitative data from interviews with first generation Iranian-American women in the USA to describe the sexual self-concepts evolving as a result of life in both cultures. Applying narrative methodology and feminist theoretical perspectives two themes were revealed. These are i) the influence of family power, and ii) patriarchal social practices. The analysis introduces a multidimensional aspect and process associated with each woman's view of her sexual self-concept, which takes into account their behaviours, cognitions, and emotions developed in each life stage, and inform her sexual subjectivity (view of herself as a sexual being). Implications of these findings for clinicians and policy makers involved in sexual health care for women are briefly discussed.
Link
Citation
Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 2(10), p. 101-118
ISSN
2055-0286
Start page
101
End page
118

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