Bibliography: #QX2MBSFP

key	QX2MBSFP
title	Ahliat va Masir (Roots and Routes) : Narratives of Identity and Adaptation from Persian Baha'i Refugees in Australia
author	Williams, Ruth
item type	Thesis
publication year	2008
date	2008-12
abstract note	This study aims to discover what oral history narratives reveal about the post-migration renegotiation of identity for seven Persian Baha'i refugees and to assess the ensuing impact on their adaptation to Australia. Oral history interviewing was used as the methodology in this research and a four-par model of narrative classification was employed to analyse the oral history interviews. This small-scale, case study research offers in-depth insights into the process of cross-cultural renegotiation of identities and of adaptation to new situations of a group who do not reflect the generally negative outcomes of refugees. Such a method fosters greater understanding and sensitivity than may be possible in broad, quantitative studies. This research reveals the centrality of religion to the participants' cosmopolitan an hybrid identities. The Baha'i belief system facilitates the reidentification and adaptation processes through advocating such aspects as intermarriage and dispersal amongst the population. The dual themes of separateness and belonging; continuity and change; and communion and agency also have considerable heuristic value in understanding the renegotiation of identity and adaptation. Participants demonstrate qualities of agency by becoming empowered, self-made individuals, who are represented in well-paid occupations with high status qualifications. It seems that their motivation to adapt is dominated by their desire to become functioning citizens as well as effective Baha'is.
number pages	370
publisher	University of Ballarat
place	Ballarat, Victoria
language	English
manual tags	IRAN; PERSECUTION; AUSTRALIA; IDENTITY; IRANIANS; REFUGEES

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