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Sexual Health among Young Somali Women in Sweden: Living with Conflicting Culturally Determined Sexual Ideologies

Johnsdotter Carlbom, Sara LU and Essén, Birgitta LU (2004)
Abstract
Young Somali women in Sweden are affected by two conflicting ideologies on sexuality: on the

one hand, the traditional values demanding chastity and modesty in women and, on the other

hand, the public sexual ideology in Sweden, emphasising sexual liberty and the dismissal of sexual

taboos.

In addition, they have to deal with national campaigns condemning “female genital mutilation”.

Some of these young women arrived in Sweden already circumcised. The public message to them

is that they are “mutilated” and, consequently, deprived of their ability to enjoy sex.

A planned project, Sexual Health among Young Somali Women in Sweden, aims at a deeper

understanding of the... (More)
Young Somali women in Sweden are affected by two conflicting ideologies on sexuality: on the

one hand, the traditional values demanding chastity and modesty in women and, on the other

hand, the public sexual ideology in Sweden, emphasising sexual liberty and the dismissal of sexual

taboos.

In addition, they have to deal with national campaigns condemning “female genital mutilation”.

Some of these young women arrived in Sweden already circumcised. The public message to them

is that they are “mutilated” and, consequently, deprived of their ability to enjoy sex.

A planned project, Sexual Health among Young Somali Women in Sweden, aims at a deeper

understanding of the sexual experiences among older Somali women in Sweden, and intends to

map the internal discourse in this field. The study also intends to find methods of transferring a

positive self-image of sexuality, prevalent among older Somali women, to the younger women.1

Discussing sexual matters is traditionally taboo among Somalis. Even if this situation is changing

in exile, many young Swedish Somali women have to make their sexual débuts with only limited

knowledge about the possibilities of their own sexuality. (Less)
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The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Social Anthropology (012013002), Obstetrics and Gynaecology (013242700), Pediatrics/Urology/Gynecology/Endocrinology (013240400)
id
2218b2df-2a4b-4a84-86b2-e0bfbf104daa (old id 528293)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 13:49:45
date last changed
2018-11-21 21:16:34
@misc{2218b2df-2a4b-4a84-86b2-e0bfbf104daa,
  abstract     = {{Young Somali women in Sweden are affected by two conflicting ideologies on sexuality: on the<br/><br>
one hand, the traditional values demanding chastity and modesty in women and, on the other<br/><br>
hand, the public sexual ideology in Sweden, emphasising sexual liberty and the dismissal of sexual<br/><br>
taboos.<br/><br>
In addition, they have to deal with national campaigns condemning “female genital mutilation”.<br/><br>
Some of these young women arrived in Sweden already circumcised. The public message to them<br/><br>
is that they are “mutilated” and, consequently, deprived of their ability to enjoy sex.<br/><br>
A planned project, Sexual Health among Young Somali Women in Sweden, aims at a deeper<br/><br>
understanding of the sexual experiences among older Somali women in Sweden, and intends to<br/><br>
map the internal discourse in this field. The study also intends to find methods of transferring a<br/><br>
positive self-image of sexuality, prevalent among older Somali women, to the younger women.1<br/><br>
Discussing sexual matters is traditionally taboo among Somalis. Even if this situation is changing<br/><br>
in exile, many young Swedish Somali women have to make their sexual débuts with only limited<br/><br>
knowledge about the possibilities of their own sexuality.}},
  author       = {{Johnsdotter Carlbom, Sara and Essén, Birgitta}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  title        = {{Sexual Health among Young Somali Women in Sweden: Living with Conflicting Culturally Determined Sexual Ideologies}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/6214828/624311.pdf}},
  year         = {{2004}},
}