Culture, immigration and femininity perception: Comparing young Iranian, Canadian, and Iranian-Canadian immigrant women

Abstract

This study compares young women’s perception of femininity in three sample of iranians, canadians and iranian-canadian immigrants to understand femininity in two different cultures, and also the immigrants’ position in comparison to source and destination countries. 45 iranian, 21 canadian, and 19 immigrant students participated in focus group discussions of femininity and its norms. Data was coded using content analysis method and frequency of each theme was counted. Frequency of common themes in these three groups was compared by chi square, and then themes were compared 2 by 2 using independent t-test. Content analysis of data revealed nine themes in iranian’s, six in canadian’s, and nine in iranian-canadian immigrants’ perception of femininity. There were five common themes, including “success orientation” and “feminine personal traits” and several distinguishing themes like “chastity” and “personal safety”. Group-specific norms are congruent with more general cultural differences in Iran and Canada, and also special situation of immigrants’ life.

Keywords

• femininity
• norms
• immigrant
• culture