The Influence of Changing Social Norms on Qatari Women's Perceptions of Gender and Empowerment During Pregnancy Open Access
Nur, Aasli Abdi (2017)
Abstract
Background: In Qatar, socially conservative views
promoting women's participation in the domestic sphere are
reinforced through familial expectations of childbearing and
motherhood. However, the neo-patriarchal family structure is
becoming increasingly incongruous with globalization, shifting
social norms, and state-building goals that require Qatari women's
participation in the public sphere to sustain economic
growth.
Aim: The aim of this analysis was to contextualize the
content and meaning of constructs like women's empowerment,
particularly the enabling resources at women's disposal that
influence Qatari women's perception of their mental health and
well-being during pregnancy.
Methods: This study used grounded theory to analyze 25
semi-structured qualitative interviews with pregnant Qatari women
at the Women's Hospital of Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha,
Qatar.
Results: Women's perception of pregnancy as a facilitator of
empowerment differed widely. This variation was attributed to
differing levels of social and economic dependency experienced
during pregnancy. However, shifting social norms coupled with
women's access to enabling human and economic resources led to
participants' identification of education a key facilitator of
empowerment for women and a pathway to economic independence in
Qatari society.
Discussion: While societal norms continue to place a high
value on the family, stressors attributed to kin relationships
influence women's mental health during pregnancy in Qatar.
Contextualizing measures of empowerment in this setting may help
characterize the associations between women's agency and maternal
and child health outcomes in the Arab Middle East.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Research Gap
1.2 Research Aim
1.3 Significance Statement
2. Literature Review
2.1 Economic Development in Qatar
2.2 Improving Access to Education
2.3 Conflicting Social Norms in Qatar
2.4 Kin Relationships and Social Mobility
2.5 Women's Participation in the Labor Market
2.6 Accessing Enabling Resources during Pregnancy
3. Manuscript
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Methods
3.3 Results
3.4 Discussion
4. References
5. Appendix A: SSI Guide
6. Appendix B: Codebook
About this Master's Thesis
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