A Struggle for Independence: Attitudes and Practices of the Women of Cyprus - Myria Vassiliadou (1999)

 PhD thesis from 1999 by Myria Vassiliadou written at the University of Kent on the experiences of Greek Cypriot women. It is a rare example of research on a scarcely explored topic.

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Abstract

The thesis is concerned with women's attitudes and practices in Cyprus. Through interviews with urban, middle-class women, concentration is paid on their more 'personal' experiences of family life, marriage, motherhood, morality, and sexuality, through 'entering their homes'. This work analyses the conflicts and contradictions experienced by these women and explores their struggle between feminist praxis and feminist theory. It examines the dilemmas and difficulties they have been facing in a culture where they are often expected to be silent and passive, and the identities which they have formed; the paradoxes that have been created in these women's lives because of this; and, the conflict between who they are and, if allowed, who they would like to be. This ethical question arising from knowing what they want, but being too afraid to go out and get it, and the guilt associated with it will also be examined, as will the fight between their emotions and the reality of their existence, the distance between their lives and their dreams. Like many other feminists, I have consciously decided to do research which is central to my own experience, as a woman. I have decided to tell the story of my own struggle. Part I, 'The House's Façade’ (Chapters One to Three) first introduces the research undertaken and then analyses the methodological and theoretical concerns related to feminist research in general and how these, if so, apply to this work in particular. It describes the steps followed and the methods used for the research. Then, it examines the position of women in Cypriot society as recorded by outside sources, official records, and the law. It looks at the history and contemporary lives of women on the island and discusses what is 'known' about them in relation to the workforce, religion, citizenship, sexuality, and morality. Part II, 'Inside the Front Door' (Chapters Four to Seven) concentrates on the fieldwork that has been carried out and gives an in-depth analysis of Women’s attitudes and practices on the island. Further, it deals with the images and definitions that women themselves have given about their position in Cypriot society, and their attitudes concerning the family, marriage, sexuality, and morality. It explores the meanings that these women attach to concepts such as 'feminism', 'patriarchy', and 'gender equality'. Part III, 'Concluding Thoughts' (Chapter Eight) discusses the conclusions that arise from the work undertaken.