"It is twice as hard for Muslim women to succeed in
achieving their career goals" because of "hostility from college, discrimination
at work and struggles within their communities" according to the interim results of a
recent study into the under-representation of young Muslim women in higher education and
professional employment.
Based on the initial findings of a larger research into the career destinations of Muuslim
women from 1995-98, the study critically examines their school and post-school
experiences, family backgrounds, personal attitudes to work and self-motivation and their
role in affecting career opportunities.
"Muslims are multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-lingual in nature" claims
the report spearheaded by Prof Marie Parker Jenkins of the University of Derby, but
"they are united by a religious dimension within their lives". Although Islam is
often perceived as a distinct social and moral code, investigations such as that into
gender and career advancement tend to subsume Muslims under the umbrella notion of
ethnicity.
The study insists that there has been no research into Muslim women in the workforce or
about their career patterns and aspirations. "They are often perceived as an
invisible and unobtrusive element of the labour market and under-utilised in terms of
their potential as human resources contributing to the economy."
Educational and career institutions play an influential role in discouraging young Muslim
women to pursue certain paths of education and employment, claims the study which was
based on the statements of Muslim women themselves.
One respondent, Mariam, was keen to become an engineer from an early age but faced many
problems from her teachers and careers advisors who encouraged her to do 'girlie' courses
like textiles and home economics. Mariam ended up as a
voluntary careworker for Asian women.
Muslim girls also face a disproportionate amount of pressure from the immediate family
which is often unwilling to support career aspirations out of fear of how it will be
perceived in the wider community. "It is so frustrating when my dad says that I
understand but this isn't acceptable in our community", said one Muslim girl.
"They are always concerned with what everyone else will say and we have to reform to
their way of thinking. There's no point in arguing because if you rebel you will be
disowned."
A previous related study conducted in 1987 about the educational provisions of Muslim
children found that girls wanted to achieve equal opportunities in the workplace but
within the confines of Islam. They emphasised the notions of equality in Islam insisting
that pursuing chosen career destinations would not mean compromising religious values.
The current report, which has appointed a Muslim research assistant and a panel of
advisors with expertise in Islam, found that Muslim girls are challenging inherited
assumptions. "When I question what they are telling me about Islam and
then correct them they argue back by saying that it is not acceptable in the community
even though I am right. This causes friction between us... Parents want you to be a Muslim
not the way the Quran outlines but what they have chosen to be regarded as Islam."
The report did however detect a change in parental attitudes towards girls in work.
Possible reasons for this shift are identified as the realisation among Muslim parents
that educational capital is necessary for survival and that Muslim men increasingly look
for more educated partners.
Shagufta Yaqub
© Copyright 1998 Q-News International, UK.
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