Temporary liberties and uncertain futures

Young female Muslim perceptions of life in England

Bibliographic Data

ID12600352
AuthorsNaomi Thompson (0000-0001-7900-1468, University of London, corresponding author), Stephen Pihlaja (0000-0002-7506-2906, Newman University)
Year2018
Volume21
Issue10
Pages1326-1343
Publication date2018-05-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Youth Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1367-6261 • E-ISSN: 1469-9680
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13676261.2018.1468021
OpenAlexW2801389429
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited25

This article explores how young female Muslim university students in London and Birmingham experience life in England. Through focus groups and interviews, talk about three main topics was collected: how young Muslims frame their identities; how they are perceived by others; and how they perceive Muslims to be portrayed and represented in public life. Analysis shows that the participants: presented themselves as ambitious and autonomous; experienced direct and indirect exclusion as young Muslims; perceived a lack of diverse Muslims role models and ambassadors in public life; and that, despite their optimism, felt their futures in Britain were uncertain. The young people recognised the temporary liberties they have around dress and practice as university students that are potentially restricted in wider society. The research highlights the problems created by stigmatising public discourse around Islamist extremism that fuels narrow, deficit-focused policy that exacerbates the exclusion of young Muslims

Focus group · Futures contract · Optimism · Perception · Political science · Politics · Public life · Public opinion · Sociology · Employment and Welfare Studies · Gender Studies · Law · Migration, Refugees, and Integration · Psychology · Social Psychology · Youth Education and Societal Dynamics

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