Women’s Liberation? A Study of Cultural Diaspora

<p dir="ltr">This qualitative study investigates the lives of middle-class Pakistani migrant families in Australia, focusing on the question of the reproduction of women's subordination to masculine norms in the new legal and social context of Sydney. The research links entrenched systems of gender inequality in Pakistan to cultural practices in Australia, to examine the difference migration makes. It focuses on the everyday experiences of women within these families, particularly their decision-making power in family structures, using a comparative analysis of negotiation patterns between men and women.</p><p dir="ltr">The research acknowledges significant differences between Pakistan and Australia in legal systems, historical contexts, and gendered power dynamics. It uses Bourdieu's theoretical framework to explore the interplay between women’s socialized acceptance of inequality and male dominance, highlighting the need for culturally ‘insensitive’ approaches to empower women while acknowledging women’s own possibly contradictory values and desires. The analysis also considers Pakistani women’s own agency and identity negotiation, revealing how they navigate their religious identities in a new context.</p><p dir="ltr">The study seeks to understand how migration shapes gender dynamics, offering comparative insights into the evolving roles and agency of women in immigrant communities. Somewhat contrary to Bourdieu’s emphasis, it emphasizes the transformative aspects of migration, portraying it as a dynamic process involving both liberation and subjugation.</p>