عوامل جامعه شناختي موثر در باز تعريف هويت اجتماعي زنان

The increased rate of womenʹs employment and education has weakened the legitimacy of womenʹs roles in traditional (patriarchal) families. At the same time, challenges in balancing traditional and modem roles have contributed to the emergence of a crisis in womenʹs identity. As a result, there is an urgent need for women to redefine their identity. This research examines the individual and structural factors that contribute to womenʹs hesitation in taking on traditional roles, in resisting stereotypical gender definitions, and womenʹs capacity in redefining social identity. The research has utilized a survey approach as well as in depth interviews as its methodology. The results indicate that the structural position of women as compared with the personal sense of identic has greater influence in redefining womenʹs social identity and their capacity to resist stereotypical gender definitions. Additionally, the study indicates that the impact of education has been greater than the impact of employment on the redefinition of womenʹs social identity. Religious women, who have attained higher education, experience a lack of cohesion in their identity. However, as these women continue with their education, they begin to rethink their religious and traditional identities, and as a result are able to greatly overcome the contradictions.