The Interpersonal is Political: Contesting and Negotiating Patriarchy Within the Chaldean Community

Includes bibliographical references (pages 85-87)The purpose of this research was to explore how displacement has caused changes within the Chaldean identity of San Diego. More specifically, it examined how this identity was protected at the level of the individual family through the regulation of interpersonal relationships of daughters. In the name of protecting the reputation of the daughter, the reputation of the family and the identity of the group, families create highly gendered rules on both romantic and platonic relationships.\ud In spite of the gendered and restrictive nature of these rules, they are not universal. As demonstrated by my interviews, rules governing interpersonal relationships differed greatly. Most important was class and the dependency on the income made by daughters. Employment led to increased autonomy in the household and more freedom to express individual agency. Next, the process of "Americanization" seemed to play a role in terms of shaping how rules were changing not just at the familial level, but throughout the community. Finally, Chaldean daughters are using religion as a means of negotiating rules concerning relationships. While originally only allowed to see men within the community, daughters are beginning to expand the definition of acceptable men on the basis that a shared religious affiliation will result in an understanding of Chaldean customs and traditions. Thus, women are taking an active role in contesting/undermining the rules placed upon them in the name of the Chaldean identity