Me, myself, I - A matter of becoming, threatened identities?: A qualitative study of female early childhood studies students of Bangladeshi heritage in England

Bird, Martine

Abstract

This thesis examines the experiences of young Bangladeshi women studying on a Foundation degree within a widening participation university. It examines their changing identity on their journey to university as they transition through compulsory and post-compulsory education. The data is collected at key transition points during higher education; on entry to the Foundation degree, as they transition to the Bachelor programme, as they prepare to exit the programme and one-year post Bachelor study. It examines their experiences, within education, employment and within the context of the family. It explores their changing concepts of identity and the mediatory approaches in accessing higher education. As a small scale study, it engages with seven young Bangladeshi young women studying on a Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies.
Data was collected through using photo-elicitation, a narrative approach which maximises the opportunity for the researcher to enter their world. This approach is evident within the presentation of the data with the maximum exposure of their stories. These revealed the intersectionality of their experience within the context of education and the family. The findings revealed the changing construct of identity for Bangladeshi women as a consequence of their mediation and navigation of the barriers presented to them. These women are skillful navigators. Archer’s concept of morphogenesis applies to these young women, their families and the Bangladeshi community. The lives of Bangladeshi women and the Bangladeshi community are changing, concepts of culture are evolving, revealing new identities. What emerges is the development of a new cultural identity, an educated, professional, independent British/Bangladeshi women, one that has greater agency, who continues to value and maintain her religious and cultural identity.

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Sep 7, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 20, 2021
• Keywords: Young , Bangladeshi Women Foundation Degree Identity
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/6639007
• Award Date: Sep 20, 2021