Muslimska moderskap i 2000-talets Sverige

Reflektioner kring ett nystartat fältarbete

Abstract

Being a mother is often presented to be a Muslim woman's primary obligation in life, according to religious texts. In my study I explore the meanings of motherhood among some Muslim mothers living in Sweden today. In this paper I primarily reflect upon two women's different ways of presenting their identities as Muslims and mothers. Ellen is a Swedish convert and Sabah is a migrant from Iraq. Both women are deeply religious but present their Muslim identities in different ways. Despite the variety of experiences, religious beliefs and the presentation of self in all of the performed interviews, I have found two common themes. First: The construction and upholding of boundaries. Second: The regulation of female sexuality and the importance of virginity. One questions to explore further so far, is how boundaries concerning religion, gender and sexuality are constructed and negotiated within different contexts.