Symbolic Action: Religion's Role in the Changing Environment of Young Somali Women

In the struggle to maintain a pre‐refugee status, ethnic identity and social equilibrium, gender relationships become a focus for conservative expectations. Idealized religious practices, which are considered a legitimate and credible source for ethical and appropriate behaviour, are now used to create moribund definitions of gender roles. This paper will consider how religion, in the face of many social, cultural, and economic changes, is used to define and enforce ethnic boundaries by delimiting the acceptable appearance and behaviour of young Somali women.