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The Flagbearers: Israeli Druze Women Challenge Traditional Gender Roles
Author(s) -
WeinerLevy Naomi
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
anthropology and education quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.531
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 1548-1492
pISSN - 0161-7761
DOI - 10.1525/aeq.2006.37.3.217
Subject(s) - disappointment , sociology , ethnography , gender studies , social change , higher education , social science , political science , social psychology , anthropology , psychology , law
This ethnographic study expands educational anthropologists' knowledge of the relationship between higher education and personal and social change in so‐called traditional societies. It describes transitions in the status of Druze women in Israel brought about by the first women from the community to obtain higher education, granting new insights into women's struggles for change. The study, conducted between 1998 and 2002, explores unique processes of change compatible with Druze tradition and culture initiated by these “first women,” who served as role models and struggled to pave the way for themselves and other women in the community. The findings challenge research literature that expresses disappointment with the activities and influence of educated Arab women after returning to their society, thus enriching working anthropological theories that concern the dynamics of social change brought about by educated women.