Hello, friends. I'm looking for books about being Middle Eastern in America and the struggle with navigating self-identity.
I apologize for the lengthy post. The context is important.
I am a neuropsych researcher interested in sociological topics. My fathers immigrated from Iraq, my mother from Italy, and I am a first-generation American. I am one of the few in my family to pursue higher education and the first woman in our family to pursue a career in STEM.
I am at the point where, as I get older, my relationship with meeting cultural expectations vs. exploring my identity and independence gets more complex.
For example: I am expected to "marry a nice man and have babies." Typically, the daughters are expected to live at home until marriage. Even though my father married an "outsider," they still set expectations regarding who I could date as far as race, religion, sex, and anything outside of their wishes is considered malicious and disrespectful because they see me as an extension of them rather than an individual.
So here I am. 26 years old, educated, (closeted) queer, tattooed, and opinionated. I try to live authentically without limitations, and while that makes me happy, I have that cultural weight on my shoulders preventing me from being my true self.
While this is a niche topic, there is a book for everything. I appreciate any suggestions!
by LaylaxRosey