Interpreting Paternalistic Dominance, Family Values, And Traditional Gender Roles A Case Study of Married Pakistani Women’s Perspectives In Australia

Abstract

This article uses the familial patriarchal framework to contribute to the literature about married Pakistani women in Australian diaspora. This qualitative interpretive phenomenological study highlights married Pakistani women’s dualistic view and selective assimilation, as women strive to achieve their goals within the constraints of family and culture. The study participants were first-generation married Pakistani women in Australia. Thematic analysis revealed that patriarchal ideologies, culture, and expectations of benefits gained through marriage influenced many women to reproduce gendered inequality. Women’s narratives indicate that they consider themselves informed moral agents responsible for continuing traditionality and collective identity. The culturally learned patriarchal beliefs take shape as neopatriarchy after encountering Australian society. Women reproduce patriarchal norms, giving privileges to male authority and legitimising institutionalised gendered domination through family and marriage. The findings clustered in three sections: Traditional gender roles, 2. Family values, 3. Paternalistic Dominance. In so doing, it aims to shed light on women’s role in reproducing gender inequality in marital and family institutions. The article also explores the correlation between culturally perceived religious norms, personal attitudes, and actual practices. Finally, attitudes about spousal roles are appraised from a feministic point of view.