“Are They Like Their Grandmothers?” A Paradox of Literacy in the Life of Ultraorthodox Jewish Women

TAMAR EL‐OR*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

An attempt to withhold social change through education is described in anthropological fieldwork with ultraorthodox Jewish women, members of a Hassidic sect in Israel. After attending at least 12 years of formal schooling, they continue to study as adults in their limited free time. The meaning and social usage of their literacy are controlled by the men of the community. This article examines whether educated women can behave ignorantly and be treated as ignorant. A model of the social meaning of literacy is presented. 1993 American Anthropological Association

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)61-81
Number of pages21
JournalAnthropology and Education Quarterly
Volume24
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1993

Keywords

  • GENDER
  • JEWISH ORTHODOXY
  • LITERACY
  • REPRODUCTION OF CULTURE

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