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ABSTRACT. The purpose of this study is to examine how ultra-Orthodox women's unique religious beliefs and values affect their gender roles and everyday life. The ultra-Orthodox community is one of several sub-groups within the Orthodox community that, overall, has a range of attitudes towards the women's roles. To date, little research has been conducted with this community. This study, therefore, aims to examine these women's roles as mothers, wives and community members, and to discuss the implications of those roles for clinical practice, doi: 10.1300/J497v77n02_03 [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: <[email protected]> Website: <http://www.HaworthPress.com> © 2007 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.]
KEYWORDS. Orthodox, gender roles, Orthodox women, anti-Semitism
INTRODUCTION
This paper reports on a study of how the unique spiritual and religious beliefs and values of ultra-Orthodox Jewish women affect their gender roles, identity development and daily lives. The study's findings will be presented from the women's point of view. The ultra-Orthodox is a sub-group within the Orthodox community, and represents one of the most traditional models for defining women's roles. In this community, women play a significant role as wives and mothers. They are expected to help members in need, and many of them are employed part time as teachers for the community's children. They are also expected to adhere to strict religious laws, such as not being allowed to perform or engage in public speaking in front of unrelated men, and not speaking publicly in the Synagogue, a role reserved to men in the community. Both men and women are expected to dress modestly, and women cover their hair after marriage.
This was an exploratory study in an area where, so far, little research has been conducted, especially regarding women. Previous studies have examined psychopathology in the Orthodox community, including depression, anxiety disorders and domestic violence (Greenberg & Shefler, 2002; Loewenthal et al., 1997; Twerski, 1996), while some others use a feminist framework to critique its traditional gender roles (Kaufman, 1995; Morris, 1995; Shai, 2002). The current study, however, intends to view ultra-Orthodox Jewish women using a different lens, that is, from their own spiritual and religious perspectives. The intent is to bring about a better understanding of this...