Sculpting Identities: Acculturation and Gender Dynamics Among Syrian Refugee Women Resettled In Spain

Abstract

This article explores the experiences of Syrian refugee women in Spain after the 2011 conflict, focusing on their acculturation strategies and shifts in gender roles. Through semi-structured interviews with ten participants, analyzed using thematic analysis, the study identifies how factors such as age, marital status, education, religion, expectations, and pre-migration experiences shape acculturation. Biculturalism and cultural incorporation are linked to gender role shifts, while cultural maintenance and disengagement restrict them. Language acquisition significantly influences gender dynamics. The negotiation of gender roles and identities, particularly among younger refugees, is a complex process influenced by both cultural norms and newfound freedoms. The study challenges the idea of a uniform acculturation experience, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions that consider cultural backgrounds to create more inclusive reception programs for Syrian refugee women in Spain.