Nuzha's Dream Marches On: When Two Women's Narratives Meet  

Oleh:

Kacen, Lea ; Allhuzeel, Nuzha Allassad

Jenis: Article from Journal - e-Journal
Dalam koleksi: Affilia vol. 23 no. 1 (Feb. 2008), page 87-91.
Fulltext: 87.pdf (62.25KB)

Isi artikel

Shall we proceed with Nuzha’s dream? This lovely, bright-eyed Bedouin woman has just completed her master’s thesis, for which I served as her adviser. Should I advise her to continue for her doctorate? If I do, I have no doubt that she’ll leap at the opportunity at once; however, the social price that she will have to pay will skyrocket. Will her husband support her? How will her decision be received among his family with whom she lives? Will they force him to take a second wife? Will they impose greater social strictures? How will the people around her react? Nuzha is part of a collectivistic, paternalistic society with welldefined expectations regarding women. A woman studying for a doctorate will undermine the prevailing social order. Many young women will gaze with anxiety at the pioneer who accepts responsibility to blaze the trail for them. Their future will be determined according to her success or failure. If I suggest it to her and she accepts, will I be able to guarantee her success? And what will happen to her and to other young women in her society if she fails? Am I entitled to impose such a heavy trailblazing burden on her? The easy way out is to stop thinking and allow the present situation to continue; however, is that what I would do with a woman who was not from Bedouin society? Would I deny her the choice because she was born into a particular cultural group? Nuzha is indeed young but already has four children, a master’s degree, and a job as a social worker. She is familiar with the society in which she was raised, as well as with the hegemonicWestern society in which she studies. Let her decide! Let her be the one who takes charge of her life.

Opini Anda

Klik untuk menuliskan opini Anda tentang koleksi ini!

Kembali