EXPLORING MUSLIM WOMEN’S AGENCY IN REMARRIAGE & STEPFAMILY FORMATION

Abstract

The findings from this study prove that while remarriages in comparison to first-time marriages pose a challenge to women, the culture of patriarchy has bearing on some of these difficulties of building a new family. For this reason, Muslim women tend to recourse to religion or other forms of ingenuity as a tool of agency in making sense of their troubles and ultimately, in coping better. By noting that Muslim women are compelled to adopt more extensive coping strategies as compared to their male counterparts, this reveals the gender conventions that exist in the provision of social support services for remarriages and stepfamily formation, resulting in the lack of support in addressing the needs of these women. It is hoped that the voices of these women can inform policy reformations of existing provisions pertaining to remarriages and stepfamilies.