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This qualitative study delves into an underrepresented area of research within the broader context of Middle Eastern and Islamic studies. Since the tragic events of 9/11, extensive research has focused on the Middle East and Islam, offering insights into the region's culture and its people. However, one crucial aspect that has been underexplored in the literature is the experience of honor. While honor has been subject to sociological and anthropological investigations and has garnered attention through media coverage of honor killings, there remained a gap in understanding the nuanced experience of honor, particularly among first-generation Levantine Arab American women.
To address this gap, the researcher employed Moustakas' heuristic research design, enabling an in-depth exploration of the experience of honor among this specific demographic. The study's findings reveal that the experience of honor among these women is profoundly intricate. It encompasses various dimensions, ranging from familial and societal to public and private, and from individual to collective. This study demonstrates that the experience of honor is a lifelong journey that commences in early childhood and continues into adulthood, persistently navigating the delicate balance between individual desires and the expectations of family and community.
