Sexual Self-Concept through a Cross-Cultural Lens: Qualitative Case Studies of Iranian-American Women
Originally posted October 2015 - From Mitra Rashidian, Victor Minichiello, Rafat Hussain
Recently scholars have examined more closely the topic of female sexual self-concept as an aspect of sexual well-being. Few studies have focused on migrated women’s life experiences cross-culturally, and how that informs a woman’s view of herself as a sexual being. This is particularly true about most middle-eastern cultures, including Iranian-American women. Four case studies draw on qualitative data from interviews with first generation Iranian-American women in the USA to describe the sexual self-concepts evolving as a result of life in both cultures.
Applying narrative methodology and feminist theoretical perspectives two themes were revealed. These are:
the influence of family power, and
patriarchal social practices.
The analysis introduces a multidimensional aspect and process associated with each woman’s view of her sexual self-concept, which takes into account their behaviors, cognitions, and emotions developed in each life stage, and inform her sexual subjectivity (view of herself as a sexual being). Implications of these findings for clinicians and policy makers involved in sexual health care for women are briefly discussed.