Negotiating two worlds: an exploration of Moroccan Belgian youths’ lived experience of gender identity

Hanne Dewinter, Hanne Dehertog, Lucia Dehaene

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This article explores the lived experiences of Muslim youth in Belgium regarding their gender identity. Based on a qualitative study with focus groups among Moroccan Belgian youths, we examine the usefulness of studying gender identity as a dynamic construct. Gender identity is not only shaped within and through different contexts, the state of Moroccan Belgian youths negotiating between two worlds also highly complicates this construction. Gender acts as a mobilising force to legitimate borders and to differentiate from another ethnic or religious group that does not share the same practices or perceptions. Finally, processes of stereotyping, which are mainly gender-based, evoke a diversity of reactions among these youths. The aim of this article is to contribute to an understanding of the construction of gender identity as a continuous process that acquires meaning in relation to minority/majority relations in society. Directions for future research are suggested.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)40-56
JournalDiGeSt. Journal of Diversity and Gender Studies
Volume8
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, Universiteit Gent. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Gender identity
  • Muslim youth
  • Minority-majority relations
  • Public discourse
  • Stereotypes

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