“My mother is my one and only source of security”: Mother–young daughter relationship in Arab-Palestinian families in Israel

Abstract

The aim of the study is to learn about the characteristics of Arab mother – daughter relationship during young adulthood within their social, cultural, and gender contexts. Little is known about how these contexts shape their relationship. Twenty-six Arab young daughters (20–33 years old) in Israel were interviewed in depth regarding their perception and experience of the relationship with their mothers. Data Analysis yielded three themes regarding young daughters' perceptions of: a) Their mothers in terms of supportive and protective versus compulsive; b) The education that the mother practices in terms of Western education versus traditional education and Al-Haram (anything that is explicitly forbidden by Allah); c) The significance of the sharing, in terms of open and secure sharing versus selective sharing. The findings shed light on the Ambivalence Theory within the context of Intergenerational Solidarity Theory. The mothers' emotional role, which fosters effective solidarity as well as characteristics regarding conflicts versus harmony and empowerment as an expression of intergenerational ambivalence, are discussed. On the practical level, it is important to promote programs that strengthen mother-daughter bonds which can enhance coping mechanisms, emotional well-being, and foster a supportive family environment. Moreover, interventions that promote open communication and can mitigate conflicts arising from ambivalent roles. Finally, promoting context-informed interventions and policies that respect family structures while promoting gender equality can facilitate positive societal change.