Under her headscarf: Exploring the work-life balance of Hijab-wearing post-graduate students

Abstract

This research project explores how the amount of education a Hijab-wearing woman has affects the extent to which she conforms to traditional gendered responsibilities within her domestic life. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with two female doctoral students, during which they were asked about their personal experiences with the Hijab, and whether they felt any pressure to adhere to traditional gendered responsibilities. The interview transcripts were then coded and analyzed, and it was found that most positive associations were made when participants spoke about the supportiveness of their families in terms of their careers. Conclusions suggest that Hijab-wearing post-graduate students are not pushed to conform to traditional gendered responsibilities by their families, but may face criticism from friends and community members.