Theses and Dissertations
Issuing Body
Mississippi State University
Advisor
McClellan, Kate
Committee Member
Hoffman, David
Committee Member
Allison, Rachel
Date of Degree
8-10-2018
Document Type
Graduate Thesis - Open Access
Major
Applied Anthropology
Degree Name
Master of Arts (M.A.)
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures
Abstract
In the Middle East and in many majority Muslim nations, homosexuality, including homosexual acts, identities, desires, and discussions of those, is considered taboo. Utilizing a feminist theoretical orientation, this project examined the ways in which same-sex desiring women in Amman, Jordan view the concept of sexually desiring and its relationship to identities. It also examined the pressures placed on them to abide by and navigate familial and religious expectations that conflict with their sexuality. This project drew upon 15 interviews from Muslim and Christian women in Amman using semi-structured and unstructured interviews and participant observation. After analysis, it was concluded that the majority of informants believe in innate sexual desires and sexuality and that all people sexually desire in similar ways. It was also concluded that informants face more pressure from family than from religion, and therefore, find it easier to balance religious obligations than familial obligations with their sexuality.
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/11668/19898
Recommended Citation
Ostrowski, Caitlin Marlena, "Her Milkshake Brings Out The Girls In Amman: Examining Questions about Sexual Desire and Societal Influences Among Same-Sex Desiring Women in Jordan" (2018). Theses and Dissertations. 2482.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/2482