Educationally successful female muslim students in present-day malaysia: Challenges, chances and change

Abstract

Malaysia, like many other countries experiencing increasing pluralisation and diversification, is facing the challenge of ensuring that its citizens, irrespective of their gender, ethnicity, age, ability, religion and/or other diversity categories, experience equal opportunity in all economic, political, social and cultural fields. The following article, based on episodic interviews conducted with female Malay-Muslim students living in Malaysia, provides an insight into the current reality of young Malay-Muslim women in present-day Malaysia. It highlights the ways in which young Malay-Muslim women negotiate their path in life, as they strive to balance their educational aspirations and personal strivings with traditional family values. The findings of the interviews, analysed using Mayring’s “Qualitative Content Analysis” method, reveal the importance of family support for female Malay-Muslim students, especially in cases where family gender norms are challenged.