Being Muslim in 21st Century America: Does Living in America Create an Identity Crisis for the Generation X Muslim Woman?

Author

Laila Uddin, Seton Hall University

Date of Award

2006

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA Corporate and Professional Communication

Department

Communication and the Arts

Advisor

Richard Dool

Keywords

Muslim, America, United States, 21st century, Identity crisis, Generation X, Women

Abstract

Over the years, I've observed South Asian females and males alike struggling to fulfill religious and cultural obligations to their family while fitting in with the norms of society. I also learned of the term "ABCD" which stands for American Born Confused Desi. This refers to people of Desi or South Asian origin living in the United States. "Confused" refers to their confusion regarding their identity from either being born in America or living here since an early age and having been exposed to American culture more than their ancestral culture. That is when I realized that I was not the only one feeling like I was being "pulled" in two different directions. In this thesis, I decided to focus specifically on Generation X Muslim women living in America to explore their experiences and to find out whether they also felt like they were being "pulled" in two different directions. This feeling of leading a "double life" is the cause of the identity crisis that many Muslim women experience living in America.

Recommended Citation

Uddin, Laila, "Being Muslim in 21st Century America: Does Living in America Create an Identity Crisis for the Generation X Muslim Woman?" (2006). Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs). 2458.
https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations/2458