Indian Punjabi Sikh Women and the Renegotiation of Boundaries and Body Identity in Australia

The thesis is dedicated to Jasdeep Kaur's parents, Amrik Singh and Surinder Kaur, and the Sikh Holy Book, Dhan Shri Guru Granth Sahib.

This thesis investigates the challenges faced by Sikh women in Australia regarding cultural traditions and personal identity.
Sikh women balance between traditional values from Punjab and their new experiences in Australia, often leading to a renegotiation of their boundaries and body identity.
Employs a qualitative phenomenological methodology to explore how immigrant Sikh women manage their identities in a multicultural society.

Thanks to Dr. Catherine Summerhayes for her invaluable support and encouragement.
Special gratitude to parents for their sacrifices and support of education.
Acknowledges friends, family, and community participants who shared their experiences.

Importance of ethnic and cultural identity among Sikh women.
Cultural practices and boundaries are essential to maintaining the Sikh identity.

A vital concept for Sikh women, where honor is closely linked to the behavior of female family members.
Actions of women can impact the family's reputation significantly.

Coined by Joan Riviere, refers to women behaving in ways deemed acceptable by societal expectations, often concealing their true identities.
Sikh women perform a dual role: traditional in home and modern in public.

Homi Bhabha's theory where migratory identities blend, creating a hybrid sense of self.
Sikh women navigate between their Sikh cultural identity and Australian societal norms.

Qualitative Phenomenological Approach: Focus on lived experiences of Sikh women.
Data Collection: Through interviews at Gurdwaras and community spaces; theme-centered and semi-structured.

Sikh women feel the burden of maintaining cultural traditions in a new land, leading to stress and identity clashes.
Experiences may vary significantly based on age, community involvement, and personal circumstances.

Younger women experience a greater push towards blending into Australian culture compared to older generations.
Older generations tend to cling to traditional views, fearing loss of izzat and cultural disintegration.

Gurpreet: Feeling of isolation and loss of independence, struggles with traditional family expectations.
Rajwinder: Faces challenges of a daughter pursuing her aspirations against cultural constraints; expresses despair over lost control over children.
Kiran: Dream of independence clashing with familial expectations; experiences a dual life.
Aampreet: Narrative of escaping a challenging marriage; highlights struggles with cultural identity post-divorce.

The study reveals the critical balance Sikh women maintain while navigating multiple cultural identities.
Future work should focus on giving voice to these women in broader societal narratives, recognizing their unique challenges and aspirations.

Provides insights into the complex interplay of cultural identity, gender roles, and migration among Sikh women in Australia.
Encourages further studies on the broader implications of cultural hybridity and identity reformulation in immigrant contexts.