| چکیده انگلیسی مقاله |
Introduction This study explored the concept of girlhood as a socially constructed and dynamic experience shaped by the interplay of cultural, socioeconomic, and racial factors rather than by biological determinism. Within the framework of gender studies, girlhood is understood as a fluid and multifaceted identity influenced by both individual agency and sociocultural context. Focusing on adolescent girls in Yazd, Iran, this research investigated how young women conceptualize, perform, and renegotiate their identities in the midst of evolving traditional norms and modern influences. In recent years, Yazd has undergone significant sociocultural transformations—including urbanization, increased tourism, and influx of global youth culture—that have complicated identity formation for adolescent girls. Drawing on qualitative data, this study revealed that girlhood is a contested space where conventional gender roles are both internalized and challenged. Materials & Methods This qualitative research adopted a constructivist grounded theory approach (Charmaz, 2006) and was conducted between 2023 and 2024. Data collection included 25 semi-structured interviews with adolescent girls aged 16 to 22 years and supplemented by a focus group with eight 16-year-old participants. Purposive and theoretical sampling methods were employed to ensure diverse representation of socioeconomic backgrounds from various neighborhoods in Yazd. Data analysis followed a 3-phase coding process: initial, axial, and theoretical coding. To uphold research rigor and trustworthiness, ethical considerations—such as informed consent, confidentiality, and data security—were meticulously adhered to. Additionally, credibility was bolstered through member checking, peer debriefing, and methodological triangulation. Discussion of Results & Conclusion The analysis resulted in the identification of 6 major categories that illuminated the complexities of girlhood in the contemporary context of Yazd: Fluid Subjectivity: Girlhood was experienced as a dynamic and embodied identity shaped by emotional and physical transformations. Participants redefined femininity through heightened body awareness, self-expression, and gender fluidity, challenging rigid binary norms. Traditional Discourses and Reproduction of Gender Norms: Familial and societal expectations reinforced hegemonic femininity, emphasizing obedience and domesticity, which often restricted autonomy and perpetuated gender inequalities. Dynamics of Modern Life: Engagement with modern spaces—such as universities, cafés, workplaces, and digital platforms—created opportunities for individual expression and identity experimentation, while also introducing new pressures, including ideals based on appearance and the need for social validation. Structural and Cultural Challenges: Legal restrictions, parental control, and public surveillance, including harassment, continued to impact the lived experiences of girls, reinforcing patriarchal control and limiting personal freedom. Fragmented Lived Experience: As girls navigated the tension between traditional and modern expectations, they often adopted multiple and sometimes contradictory roles across different social contexts. This multiplicity not only fostered adaptability and creative self-representation, but also generated psychological tension and identity fragmentation. Gendered Subjectivity and Agency: Despite facing constraints, adolescent girls actively engaged in negotiation, resistance, and redefinition of norms, creating alternative spaces for self-expression and asserting their gendered agency. The core category—Fluid Gender Performance—captured the central process, through which girls in Yazd navigated the tensions between traditional expectations and modern values. Rather than conforming to a fixed notion of femininity, participants actively constructed context-dependent identities by performing multiple expressions of femininity. This study revealed that girlhood emerged as a dynamic, negotiated, and often contradictory experience—one that was simultaneously constrained by structural and cultural forces and enriched by moments of agency, creativity, and transformation. Positioned at the intersection of tradition and modernity, adolescent girls in Yazd actively engaged in the re-articulation of gender roles and identities. This research offered a nuanced understanding of girlhood as a fluid, performative, and contested category shaped by ongoing sociocultural negotiations. The findings contribute to broader discussions in gender studies by highlighting how localized experiences of girlhood reflect global currents of gender fluidity, resistance, and identity reconstruction. |