Study focuses on Arab American women and employment

Arab American women, while highly educated, often have lower levels of employment than women of other racial or ethnic groups, according to a new study by UC Irvine sociologist Jen’nan Read. Read’s findings suggest that cultural and familial traditions — rather than career aspirations — are a driving force behind Arab American women’s motivation to obtain college degrees. “Arab Americans place a strong emphasis on higher education for women,” Read said. “However, they stress education not as a means toward achieving a high-powered career as is often the case with U.S. women, but more as a resource to ensure that women can properly teach their children while caring for the family and maintaining their religious and ethnic identity.” The study will be published in the April issue of the American Sociological Review.